Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:21-27

Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for His death.  But brash, spontaneous Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes Him!  I always find this fascinating.  Here is a man that teaches like no other, who heals the lame, sick, blind, and deaf.  A man who raises the dead, feeds thousands on nothing more than a few fish and loaves of bread.  A man who has control of the weather and walks on water.  Yet, Peter tells Him He's got it wrong.  The audacity!!  And yet, don't we do the same thing?  Don't we look at the promises of God and scoff?  Don't we tell God what we think we know?

Jesus puts Peter in his place.  Then He gives the disciples a very good teaching.  Whoever gives up his rights, his opinions, his worldly ways and follows Jesus will gain eternal life.  Those who deny Christ and continue to follow their own ways will lose eternal life.  This world is not the big picture.  All the wealth, material goods, relationships, power and prestige you gain in this life will not last.  You can't take it with you when you die.  And it's not going to make you any friends in the next life. 

Do you see why these teachings are connected?  Jesus taught about His death and resurrection.  Peter, in his worldly understanding refused to believe it.  Surely he, Peter, could prevent this from happening.  In fact, he wasn't going to let it happen.  Jesus is just being dramatic.  So, Peter pulls Jesus Christ aside and tells Him what is really going to happen.  Jesus tells him that he's thinking worldly thoughts instead of Godly thoughts.  If Peter continues in this thinking, he will not gain eternal life. 

We don't often understand the things of God.  As human beings we have come to think that we have the right to understand everything.  In fact, we demand it.  We pull God aside and tell Him how it is really going to go.  We get upset when we don't get our way or the answer we want.  But here's the key - God knows the big picture.  He knows what happened, what's happening, and what will happen.  He has our best interest at heart.  If His answer is "no" or "not right now" He's got a good reason for it.  Do to you believe that?  Can you let go of your right to know?  Can you let go of your human understanding and trust God?  It's not an easy thing to do, but the confidence and peace you gain is so much better than the hurt, disappointment, and anxiety you're living with now. 

Jesus ends His discourse with another difficult Scripture.  There are many suggested interpretations for this Scripture - a quick Internet search or a good study Bible will list them for you.  However, most scholars agree that this Scripture refers to the transfiguration of Christ, which we will read about Monday. 

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20

Peter's Confession:

Jesus asks the disciples who people think He is.  They answer, "A prophet, John the Baptist, Elijah."  Once again the people have blinded themselves to the truth by holding on to what they think they know.  They think the Messiah will be a political leader who will establish Israel as a sovereign state.  So, when they see the signs and wonders of Jesus, they automatically think "prophet." 

So, Jesus asks, "Who do YOU think I am?"  Peter responds for the group, "The Messiah."  And now comes one of the most controversial Scriptures in the Bible.  For Roman Catholics, this verse lays the foundation for the structure of their leadership.  Peter is the first Pope.  To Protestants, this scripture relates to Peter's confession.  The church will be established on the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.  I believe the second explanation.  When we look further into the Scriptures, we see that Peter was a man of leadership, but he was not THE leader of the church.  The disciples worked together.  Nor do we see Peter as a perfect man incapable of mistakes.  He was a man, plain and simple.  We need to remember that our pastors are simply men and women called to shepherd a flock.  Yes, they live lives devoted to God.  They offer good advice, examples for living, and teaching on the Word.  However, we must remember to put our faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

Mark 8:22-26

Why did it take Jesus two attempts to heal this man? 

Some say it is a lack of faith on the man's part.  He asked for healing, but he didn't really think it would happen.  I think we pray that way sometimes.  Asking for what we need, but not trusting God to really make it happen.  We need to ask and then receive.  It's just like a gift on Christmas morning.  Are you really going to leave that gift lying under the tree?

Others say the man wasn't ready to give up his disability.  When we live with something for so long, good or bad, it becomes a part of us.  We identify with it.  So, even though we long to give it up, it's scary to take that step.  So, are you living with pain, anger, hurt, disability too afraid to give it up to God?  Afraid of what life will look like when you no longer have your crutch to hang onto?  Jesus offers peace, love, joy, healing.  Take a step & reach out to Him.

Theologians say that Jesus deliberately took two tries in order to teach His disciples a lesson.  They had seen signs and wonders, but they still haven't gotten the full picture.  Just like the man - he can see shapes and shadows, but the picture is still fuzzy.  Do you know Jesus?  Are you spending time in His Word?  Do you talk with Him through prayer?  You can live your whole life with a fuzzy picture, but really, how much fun is that?

Matthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:14-21

Goofy disciples - still they don't understand.  After two miracles involving bread, they still think Jesus is concerned about what they will eat.  It's quite the opposite.  Jesus is never worried about what they will eat, where they will sleep, what they will wear.  He knows the His Father in Heaven will provide for their necessities.

Jesus is talking about leaven.  Leaven (or yeast) is used to make bread.  The yeast feed on the flour, causing the bread dough to expand and grow.  Leaven is likened to sin in the Bible.  You start out with just a little, but it feeds on your life, causing the sin to grow and overtake your life.

So, don't let sin overtake your life.  Be diligent in reading the Word and your relationship with God.  When you focus on Him - sin has no place in your heart.

Matthew 16:1-4; 8:11-13

So, after reading about miracle after miracle - are you convinced that Jesus is who He says He is?  The Pharisees and Sadducees weren't.  They wanted still another sign.  This one from heaven no less.

Jesus sighs.  Why?  He's saddened by the underlying attitude of these people.  They refuse to see and yet they demand.  He then predicts His death.  This is the sign of Jonah.  Jonah was in the belly of the big fish for three days and then he was cast onto the beach.  Essentially, he was dead and then given life once again.  This is a shadow of the coming death and resurrection of Jesus.

Once again, we see that it is all about attitude and motivation.  God looks at the heart.  So, examine yours today, and every morning.  What is your motivation today?  Gauge your attitude - are you heading out today with a grateful attitude focused on God?  If not, you might want to examine your heart.

Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-10

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

This reading hit me hard today.  As I read it I thought, "Haven't we already seen this?  Why do the disciples insist on remaining ignorant?"  They've seen Jesus walk on water, heal countless people, and feed five thousand with just a few loaves and fishes, but they still wonder how they're going to feed these people?

But I can't be too hard on the disciples.  If I examine my own life, I see the same pattern.  I've had my ups and downs.  I've had the impossible work out with little effort on my part.  I've seen illnesses and deformities healed.  I've experience love, grace, peace, and forgiveness in my own life.  Yet, I still struggle with faith.  I still get caught up in daily life and lose God in the little things.  Faith is a daily walk.  It's a daily choice.  What will I choose to believe?  How will I choose to act?  to treat others?  to live my life?

This Christmas season, I think we need to slow down and make the time to put God first.  I challenge you to give Him your time every morning.  See what happens.  I've been lazy lately - going full steam all day & then dragging my feet in the morning.  I've even pushed this blog to the background of a busy life.  Foolish, foolish - for when I start behaving this way, my life simply gets more complicated, more out-of-control.  So, I'm going to make the commitment.  Why don't you?  See what happens when you put God first!  & leave a comment to let us know what you experience.

Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37

Jesus continues to heal people.  And they continue to wonder if He really is the Messiah or not.  The people were looking for a political leader, not a suffering Messiah.  As Jesus continued to heal, His popularity spread but not in the way it should.  He was known for healing the physical, but people were ignoring the spiritual.

This is an ongoing theme in the gospels.  It reminds me of the on-going theme of going one's separate way in the Old Testament.  People experience God, but they refuse to believe.  Look - God presents us with a choice - choose Him and gain eternal life.  Choose yourself & all you have is what you can squeeze out of this life.  As for me and my house, we will choose to serve the Lord.

Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

A Syrophoenician Woman's Faith

A what?  Or should I say who?  A syrophoenician is simply a person from Phoenicia, also known a Canaanite.  She was a gentile, or non-Jew and a pagan, one who worships other gods.  The woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter.  But He response that bread is for the children not the dogs.  Wow, that seems offensive doesn't it?  The bread is Jesus' ministry, the children are the Jews, the dogs are the pagans.  What is going on here?

Well,
1)  Canaanites rejected God, followed their own practices and worshiped their own man-made gods.  
2)  Jesus' ministry was first to the Jew.  The ministry was later widen to include gentiles through the Great Commission given by Jesus prior to His ascension.
3)  Jesus is testing her faith.  Is she just looking for her daughter to be healed?  Or does she really believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  Her answer shows her faith & Jesus heals her daughter.

So, what do we learn from this?  It's all about faith & relationship.  God isn't some spiritual genie.  We don't just say a few of the correct words & poof - all our requests are answered.  That is how the pagans view their gods.  No - being a Christian is about faith & relationship.  How are you doing in that area?

Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

Traditions and Commandments ~

The Pharisees and scribes thought they finally had Jesus.  See, Judaism had become more about following rules than having a relationship with God.  They convinced themselves and those in their flock to hold to extremely strict rules; yet, they neglected their relationship with God. So, they come to Him with a question, expecting to then accuse Him of breaking a law.  However, Jesus answers them with His own example.  The disciples might not ceremonially wash their hands before eating (not a Biblical Law) but the Pharisees allowed people to ignore supporting their elderly parents in favor of giving the money to the Temple.  (A Biblical Law).

It all comes down to motive.  Jesus tells us it's not what goes into the mouth (what we eat, whether or not we are ceremonially clean) but what comes out of the mouth (our attitudes expressed in our words).  Ceremony is just that - ceremony.  It is done as a reminder of God.  However, when we just do something because it has always been done & forget God - well then we have a problem.

I think this reading is particularly well-timed.  The Christmas season is upon us.  Why do you celebrate?  Who are you celebrating for?  What is your motivation behind the get-togethers, the food, the presents?  Are you looking to spend time giving thanks to God with your family for all that He has given you?  Are you remembering the birth of your personal Savior, Jesus Christ?  Stop for a few moments and think about your relationship with God.  Is He coming first in your life?  Or have you completely forgotten Him in all the ceremony of the holiday?

John 6:60-71

Jesus just told the crowd that He is the Bread of Life.  And the disciples respond by saying, "What?!  This is too hard to understand."

I like how Jesus responds.  You can read it for yourself.  What I like about His response is that it shows us how well He knows us.  He knows our thoughts, our hearts, our frustrations, and our motivations.  He knows we look first to the physical and ignore the spiritual.  But we have it backwards.  It's not the physical we should be focused on, it's the spiritual.  The physical lasts only a little while.  The spirit is forever.  Have you ever stopped to really think about forever?  It's a little terrifying, isn't it - that great unkown?  Maybe that's why we stick with what we know.  It may not be great, but at least we think we have that under control.  We don't.  That's why it is so important to figure out what Jesus is trying to tell us.

Many left Jesus' ministry that day.  They heard His words and choose to ignore them.  Sometimes we think burrowing our heads in the sand will make it go away - it never does.  And often, when we stick with it, learn the new thing, find the new life - we realize just how good life can really be.  The twelve stuck with Him.  So, what about you?  Are you ready to listen and obey?  Ready to really believe?  Ready to dive in and live according to Jesus' words?

John 6:41-59

Jesus is still in discussions with the Jews concerning bread.  They want more miracle, but Jesus tells them they are looking for temporary amusement rather than eternal salvation.  He is the bread of life, the only one who can save them.  Now they are getting a little irritated.  Don't they know His family?  Didn't they watch Him grow up.  What's with these crazy claims?  And now He tells us to eat His flesh and drink His blood.  What?

Jesus is once again speaking about spiritual truths using physical terms.  Sometimes I wonder if these people intentionally misunderstand Jesus.  Sometimes I wonder if we intentionally misunderstand Him.  See, to understand Him means to make changes, to live a different life.  To let someone else be in control.  Scary stuff.  But here's the deal, when we let go, when we dive in, when we take that scary step - we find what we've been searching for.  We find confidence, peace, patience, self-control, joy, and love in the here and now.  And we find eternal life on the last day.  Wow, pretty sweet deal.

So, are you intentionally misunderstanding Jesus?  Holding on too tight to control and sinking into despair?  You need to look no further than Jesus Christ.  I am reminded of the lyrics in "How He Loves Us" - "If grace is an ocean we are sinking."  Doesn't that sound wonderful?