Skip to main content

Matthew 15-16


Enthusiastic. Brash. Outspoken. Impulsive. 


If I gave you these words and asked you to match them with one of the disciples, I’m betting that Peter would be the first to come to your mind. At the conclusion of today’s reading, we read the account of when Simon Peter is first to declare Jesus as “Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Right after this Jesus replies, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (v 16:18) It always boggles my mind that Jesus bestowed this blessing and daunting task to Peter. This is the man who had his share of weaknesses, yet pressed on and became an incredible leader in the early Church, leading multitudes of others to also follow Christ. 
If we look back to the first encounter between Jesus and Simon Peter, Jesus tells him, “Come, follow me.” (Mark 1:17)  In Jesus’ last words to Peter, he also says, “You must follow me.” (John 21:22) Between these two exchanges, Peter often stumbled…yet he always followed. The Lord chose this flawed fisherman, changed him by his love, and used him in mighty ways, including to help build the early church. We too are fallible, ordinary, and may sometimes think, “why would God want to use me? I fail ALL the time!” Each of us, like Peter, must be willing to proclaim Jesus as our Lord, walk in faith, and though we may stumble, be willing to press on and continue following Him daily. Who knows in what unexpected ways He may use you?


~Rachel Craig

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God Has a Plan

Have you ever traced your family ancestry back into the past? What about 42 generations in the past? In the beginning of Matthew we see the genealogy of Jesus. But you know what else we see? We see that God has a plan . God ’s plan extends beyond generations, beyond lifetimes, beyond what we can see and understand.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways my ways, declares the  Lord .   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,   so are my ways higher than your ways   and my thoughts than your thoughts. ” (English Standard Version, Isaiah 55:8-9). The people mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus were not perfect people. Remember the story of Jacob, who deceived his father Isaac into blessing him instead of his brother? Or what about Rahab who was a prostitute…David and Bathsheba? People are not perfect, we often make mistakes but our God can take those mistakes and somehow bring good out of them for HIS glor...
1 comment
Read more

Psalm 134

Psalm 134 Come, bless the  Lord , all you servants of the  Lord ,     who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place     and bless the Lord! May the  Lord  bless you from Zion,     he who made heaven and earth!   What do we do when uncertainty and difficultly surround us? Lift your hands and bless the Lord! What do you have to be thankful for today? Such a simple, yet complex thought. We have so much to be thankful for, even when times are difficult. What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to encourage others below and list what you are thankful for.   I am thankful for… Let us know!    
1 comment
Read more

John 11-12

Recently when reading about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (what we remember on Palm Sunday), I am challenged by the thought of those who cheered "hosanna", only a few days later, screamed "crucify Him." Those who celebrated and worshiped him, then turned their backs on Jesus, just a few days later. Shane and Shane wrote about this in their song Crucify Him . Here they reflect on how Christians turn their back on Jesus today as well.  Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=KkBtEq6SeYs   This song has been so challenging to me. I hope it is to you, as well. Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Stand firm in the faith, brothers and sisters.  ~Pastor Tony
Post a Comment
Read more