Meditate. Does a rock give you strength or cause to stumble?
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven." Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20
 |
| The Gates of Hell Site of the Temple for the Roman god Pan. Caesarea Philippi, Israel |
Caesarea Philippi is in a beautiful region where the headwaters of the Jordan River begins and then flows all the way to the Dead Sea. As I walked along the Jordan River there it was a little rushing stream and I could feel the spray of the water as it bubbled and flowed over boulders along its path. The sound of rushing water is always invigorating and energizing—but that is nothing compared to the energy of knowing Jesus. Jesus had walked along that same stream, yet He created the water and the very rocks over which it flowed. Knowing that He is our magnificent creator and our Savior, and that He lived, walked the path and breathed the air right there where I walked was exhilarating. My Savior had been there and asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” We can ask the same question today. Who do you say that Jesus is? How do you describe to someone what salvation means?
Ponder those
questions in your heart and be ready. Be ready to explain the hope that you
have in Christ. Some translations of this verse below say to make a defense or
give an answer. It is important to do this with gentleness and respect so that
you draw others to Christ, not offend them or appear superior since you know
Christ…and He knows you. Remember that God loves the world…everyone.
Instead, you must worship Christ as
Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be
ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your
conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when
they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter
3:15-16
Jesus was a
gentle person. Look at His interactions and relationships with friends like Mary
and Martha, all of the disciples, the people He fed and healed, and even the
Pharisees. Jesus Christ does give us hope. Hope for being like Him…gentle,
obedient, faithful, honest, true, light to others, respectful to the Father…and
others. He is worthy of our love. Jesus is the Rock. Build your hope for a
glorious eternal future on Him. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life and the
cornerstone in the foundation of our life in Him. Have faith, believe in Him
and trust Him. He can be a cornerstone not a stumbling rock in your life.
God warned them (the Israelites) of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Romans 9:33
Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, You are the rock in my life. The cornerstone that supports me in all I think, say and do. May I always bring You and the Father honor and glory—and never disgrace You. I love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
Available as an e-book
or paperback at Amazon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment