Grief over Death

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved. Matthew 17:22-23

Jesus hadn’t even died yet and His disciples were grieved. Dead is inevitable, but knowing ahead of time that a young person, a beloved and respected leader was going to be killed would be devastating. No wonder they were experiencing grief. They probably didn’t totally comprehend the “raised on the third day” perception or they would have been filled with joy. This happened before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The whole life after death—and resurrection concept was not reality to them. Grief was real. We don’t have to grieve over Jesus’ death—we know that He was resurrected. Glory and honor to our Heaven Father for His plan. His plan of salvation for humanity. Rejoice and be glad—and celebrate. Jesus is alive. Celebrate every day…not just Christmas and Easter.

RSVP: Jesus is telling His disciples, including us, that He would be raised from the dead. He may have been killed—actually died for our sin, but He is alive. Are you grieving? How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I rejoice that You are living. You are the Living God. Others may worship a god who died, but You alone died and rose from the dead. I praise You and rejoice with my brothers and sisters in Christ that You loved us enough to die for us—and that the Heavenly Father loved us all even more to raise You from the dead. Glory be to God.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It won’t be long until Christmas…but these cookies are good just any time especially with a nice tamale, taco or enchilada dinner.

Cinnamon Christmas Shortbread

1 3/4 cups flour (stir before measuring)
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Measure the flour, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture just until blended. Round up the dough, flatten into a disk shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for about 1 hour. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Cut into heart shapes. Punch a hole near the top of the heart shape if you want to hang the cookies later. Arrange the cookies on lined baking sheets, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. Heat oven to 350°. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies, depending on size.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Faith

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21

Mustard seeds are really small. When we were growing up my sister had a necklace with a mustard seed encased in plastic, magnifying it. It was small—but it was a reminder of this verse and the power of prayer. We were young—what did we know about prayer? As years went by we learned to appreciate prayer and often asked each other to pray. Now she has gone to be with the Lord…in Heaven. Will we pray in heaven? Only time will tell for that. 

The whole issue of demon possession may be beyond most people’s comfort zone of prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples and us that this issue requires fasting along with prayer. Fasting focuses us on prayer, on the issue at hand and the Lord. Fasting isn’t something new in our time, or in Jesus’ time. Remember Esther called the Israelites to fast when they were facing persecution by the king (Esther 4:3). David writes about fasting when others were ill (Psalm 35:14). Of course, there is the time that Jesus went into the desert and fasted for forty days and nights after His baptism (Matthew 4:2). Fasting may make us hungry, but spiritually strengthens us. When our faith in the Lord is strong it is possible that we will experience spiritual warfare. It may not seem like real spiritual battle, just inconveniences, problems, discouragement or depression. That is the time to put on your armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Protect yourself daily with god’s word and His armor. Then, if you’ve never fasted, the next time you have a deep prayer need, have faith. Try fasting. 

 

RSVP: Jesus is calling us to use our faith in Him to ask for what may seem like an impossible prayer request. How will you respond to Him today?  

Prayer ~ Jesus, I have faith in You. You said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27. I trust You to hear my prayers and answer them…even if they seem impossible.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Lord, Have Mercy.

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Matthew 17:14-18

The power of the Lord! He spoke and the demon came out—the boy was cured. Jesus said that we would do greater works. I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  John 14:12 NLT. Anyone. Anyone who believes in Jesus. Does that include you? If so…you can heal like Jesus did. I’ve seen some great miracles…babies being cured of abnormalities, people healing quickly from surgery, eyesight restored…wonderful miracles. Believe. Put your trust in Jesus. He had mercy on this man and his son…He’ll have mercy on you.

RSVP: Are you an unbelieving and generation? Jesus is challenging you to believe and do miracles like He did. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, have mercy on us…help us in our unbelief that we would have the power to heal like You did.

 © 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Do You Recognize Him?

And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-13 

 

Jesus was continually teaching His disciples. Teaching them about prophesy and fulfilled prophesy. Who was this Elijah? Not the prophet Elijah of the Old Testament—but John the Baptist, as prophesied in Isaiah and recorded in Matthew…Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'" Matthew 3:1-3 

People were busy in Jesus day just like we all are now—focusing on our career, job, family, friends, sports, or hobbies. We’re not looking at the really big picture. Jesus was trying to tell His disciples about the big picture. What has been prophesied for our future? Jesus spoke about His return and said…You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Luke 12:40 NLT. Paul wrote…For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 NLT. So there we have it. We need to recognize who Jesus is…just like people needed to recognize who John the Baptist was. We need to be ready for Jesus’ return.

RSVP:  Jesus explained who John the Baptist was…and foretold of His own suffering. We’ve been told to be ready.  How will you respond to Jesus today?   

Prayer ~ Jesus, thank you for Your message across the years to us. Continue to show me on a daily basis what I need to do to be ready. For today, I’ll search my scripture, read, study, and speak to my family about the importance of being ready. I don’t want anyone to be left behind.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Be Afraid

And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." Matthew 17:7 

 

The Bible tells us in several different books not to be afraid.

·         Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none. Isaiah 44:8

·         Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me." Matthew 28:10

·         But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Mark 5:36

·         I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12:4

·         When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; Revelation 1:17

·         In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11 

So what are you afraid of? Things that go “bump” in the night…stock market failure…crazy drivers on the streets who are talking or texting on their cell phone…or food that contain mystery chemicals or bacteria? Life changes so quickly and things are unpredictable. Cancer strikes and in weeks our loved ones are gone. In this scripture passage Jesus says not to be afraid. But the fear that He is speaking about isn’t the type with which we deal. It is of the mysterious spiritual nature. Hearing the very voice of God resounding across the heavens would be enough to scare anyone. Be reminded that if God is for us…who can be against us. If you ever hear the voice of God…do not be afraid!  

RSVP: Jesus is instructing us, as He did His disciples, do not be afraid. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I will not be afraid of anything that usually makes me fearful. I know You are for me…who can be against me. Greater is He—You—who is in me than he who is in the world. I totally put my trust in You.

Happiest of days to you, brother Joe—on your birthday!

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

LISTEN

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. Matthew 17:1-6  

God the Father spoke. Imagine His voice booming from heaven! I would have fallen on my face, too. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist a voice from Heaven…God spoke. God the Father spoke. Imagine His voice booming from heaven—resounding over the Jordan River! After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens (God the Father) said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matthew 3:16-17. I’ve always been amazed that when God spoke of His Son, His beloved Son, again—at what we call the Transfiguration—that He added “listen to Him!” God was very pleased with the work that Jesus was doing. Jesus made it very clear that what He said was coming from Father.

So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. John 8:28 

For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. John 12:49

Listen to Him. Can you hear what Jesus was saying…is saying?

RSVP:  Jesus was obedient to say just what His Father told Him to say. Are you listening? How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I long to hear Your words every day and it motivates me to read my Bible. Continue to speak to me through Your Word—using it to guide and direct my thoughts, words, and actions that I would be pleasing to You and to our Heavenly Father.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted

Rewards for Deeds?

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Matthew 16:27-28

 

So what good deeds have you done lately? God wants us to give and pray secretly. Good deeds should be the same so that we aren’t tempted to be prideful about what we’ve given or done.

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ... But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4, 6

God will reward or repay everyone for their actions—including their deeds in thoughts and words. No good deeds—no rewards? Good deeds done for prideful reasons—will those be rewarded?  Not likely. Good deeds done quietly or even secretively to bring glory to God. Rewards? That what is promised. Will those “rewards” get anyone into Heaven? No. Jesus said…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6.

 

Additionally, James shows the relationship between faith and works.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." James 2:14-18

So where is your faith…your works?

 

RSVP: Jesus is preparing us for His return by encouraging us to do works…and seek God’s rewards. How will you respond to Him today?

 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I look forward to singing one day about Your works... in the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,  "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!  Revelation 15:3. You are an awesome God and I want to serve and honor You by helping others. Open my eyes to opportunities to do even small deeds for You.

 

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Take Up Your Cross…Again

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? " Matthew 16:24-26  

I think God is trying to teach me something here. Take up my cross…and follow Him. Whenever something is repeated over and over, God is trying to teach me something specific. Take up my cross. In an earlier verse, Matthew 10:38, Jesus says…And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. So what does it mean to “take up your cross?” To be a devoted disciple of Jesus, we need to deny ourselves—there is room for only one master in our lives. As we take up our cross to follow Jesus we give our whole lives…not just our Sunday morning. Losing our life for Jesus is total dedication—putting Him first in our life…not family, friends or our job. Read Luke 14:25-35.

Life following Jesus is summed up in a book that was written even before He was born as a man. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says… Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.  Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT. Best advice we can hear—be obedient to God and His word. There is nothing that is of greater value that giving our life to Jesus.  

RSVP: Jesus is calling us today to take up our cross and follow Him. How will you respond to Him? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I choose to take up my cross and follow You. Show me how I can serve You by serving others. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Time to enjoy the last of the season’s harvest. Warm up your body with something hot and spicy. Good salsa time. Some family members don’t care for cilantro, so I omitted it from our salsa today. You can add it to yours if you like. 

Tomatillo Salsa

Makes about 1 cup

8 tomatillos, boiled for a few minutes and peeled

2 scallions, halved

1 jalapeño, halved, seeded, more or less to taste (I used a whole pepper, seeded)

1 garlic clove, peeled

1 Tablespoon lime juice

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, optional

1/2 teaspoon salt, if desired 

Place all ingredients into a blender container and fasten the lid tightly. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed. Blend for 15 seconds or just until chopped. If necessary, use tamper to push the ingredients into the blades while processing. Do not over mix unless you like a pureed salsa. 

Serve as a dip with tortilla chips or as an accompaniment with tacos, burritos or enchiladas. This was surprisingly sweet. We enjoyed it!

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Are You a Stumbling Block?

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Matthew 16:21-23 

There is trouble for the person who is a stumbling block.

Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! Matthew 18:7

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Romans 14:13

Are you a stumbling block to someone? Are you focusing your attention on yourself or earthly values instead of God and His values? It is so easy to do that today. By our nature we are selfish human being. It is only through God’s grace that we find our way to Him and that He guides our paths. As we live like Jesus wants us to it helps us encourage others. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11-16. Encourage each other. Rejoice always! 

RSVP: Jesus is inviting us to set our minds on God’s interests—on what is important to God. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, help me to keep focused on things that are important to You—treating others kindly and encouraging them to seek You first in their lives. May all that I do, say and think be acceptable to You and bring You glory and honor.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Rewards for Deeds?

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Matthew 16:27-28

So what good deeds have you done lately? God wants us to give and pray secretly. Good deeds should be the same so that we aren’t tempted to be prideful about what we’ve given or done.

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ... But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4, 6

God will reward or repay everyone for their actions—including their deeds in thoughts and words. No good deeds—no rewards? Good deeds done for prideful reasons—will those be rewarded?  Not likely. Good deeds done quietly or even secretively to bring glory to God. Rewards? That what is promised. Will those “rewards” get anyone into Heaven? No. Jesus said…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6.  

Additionally, James shows the relationship between faith and works.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." James 2:14-18

So where is your faith…your works?

RSVP: Jesus is preparing us for His return by encouraging us to do works…and seek God’s rewards. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I look forward to singing one day about Your works... in the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,  "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!  Revelation 15:3. You are an awesome God and I want to serve and honor You by helping others. Open my eyes to opportunities to do even small deeds for You.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Tell No One

Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. Matthew 16:20

Once again Jesus told His disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Messiah. He told others, like the leper He healed (Luke 5:12-14), to not tell others about His healing power. Don’t tell. Why?  Matthew Henry suggested in his commentary that it was time for the preparation of the kingdom, time for Christ’s works to be testified by those who were recipients of His miracles—not by His disciples, and that they needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit before they preached the truth that Jesus was the Messiah. That didn’t happen until Pentecost. The timing wasn’t right and Jesus knew it. He knows all things. There was work to do. Now that we are on the other side of Pentecost and the Resurrection, we need to tell anyone who will listen that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is God.

RSVP: Jesus is inviting us to share His good news. He is the Christ, the Messiah. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, just as You said…I want to...go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching these new disciples to obey all the commands You have given us. For we know the You are with us always, even to the end of the age Matthew 28:19-20 NLT.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Are You Blessed?

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:16-19  

Simon – One who hears. He was blessed. God revealed to Simon Peter that Jesus was His Son. His only begotten Son, the Christ, the Messiah. Simon Peter listened to God. He heard the truth. Why didn’t the other disciples hear or understand? Why doesn’t everyone today hear and understand? We have a distinct advantage since we have the whole Bible to explain Jesus and His life to us. But still some people just don’t understand. What can we do to help others hear and understand? 

Peter’s name is translated from Greek as “rock.” Jesus built His church, not on Peter, but on the rock of faith that He (Jesus) is the Son of God—the Christ, the Messiah. The rock that Jesus is referring to is a feminine form of the Greek word rock—not the rock of Peter’s name. The rock of faith. 

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Maybe that is why so many people joke about meeting Peter at the Pearly Gates. Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is no joking matter. There is only one way in…and that is through Jesus—knowing Him personally and developing a relationship with Him. Are you blessed by knowing Jesus?  

RSVP: Jesus was revealed to Peter as the Son of God. Can you believe in Jesus as the Son of God? How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, knowing You blesses me. You are the rock on which my faith is built.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

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." Matthew 16:13-16 NLT 

The Gates of Hell - Caesarea Philippi

This is one of my favorite scripture passages. Jesus took His disciples away from the Jewish region of Galilee to this Gentile region of Caesarea Philippi, about a day and a half walk from the Sea of Galilee, to teach them without distractions. He wanted to see who could “Hear.” He even spoke to them in Greek (a Gentile tongue)—not in Hebrew or Aramaic. Peter was the only one to “hear” the truth. Jesus is the Son of God!  Jesus gave the keys of heaven to Peter, like gifting him “salvation.” The Gates of Hell will not prevail—evil will not stand in his way. Simon in Hebrew is Shimon, meaning One Who Hears. Simon Peter was the first missionary to the Gentiles and it was here in Caesarea Philippi that Jesus commissioned him.

 

Visiting Caesarea Philippi was an awesome epiphany moment for me when we went to Israel. I knew that Jesus was the Son of God—but to hear it again in the place it was declared touched my spirit deeply. This was where Jesus told his disciples to reach out to Gentiles. Being a “gentile,” that meant me. If it weren’t for this event, maybe I wouldn’t know Jesus like I do.

 

Who do you say that Jesus is?   

Που λέτε είναι ο Ιησούς;

Kdo říkal že je Ježíš?

Wer sagt man, dass Jesus ist?

누가 예수님은 말합니까?

人はイエスだ？

Кто вам сказал, является Иисус?

Vous dites, qui qu'est Jésus ?

Hvem sier du er Jesus?

Vem säger ni Jesus är?

你說耶穌是誰？

Care vă spun este Isus?

Siapa yang Anda katakan Yesus?

¿Que dices que Jesús es?

Kim İsa diyorlar?

Ai làm bạn nói Chúa Giêsu?

Który trzeba powiedzieć, że Jezus jest?

Que dius que Jesús és?

מי אתה אומר שישוע הוא 

If we declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of living God, then the Gates of Hell will not prevail against us. We can claim that promise today. Evil will not stand in our way. The Kingdom of God is within you—within us. We should go to Godless places to change their hearts. Evil will not prevent us from doing that. Don’t panic or run—don’t fall victim to terror. God wants you to get revelation in dark places. Be like Shimon—hear the Word of God and respond. Are you listening?

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to know Him, to consider who He really is. How will you respond to Him today?  

Prayer ~Lord, I am listening. Help me to hear Your words and follow Your way. I say that You are Jesus…the Son of God. You are God.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Who is the Son of Man?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Matthew 16:13 NLT 

The term “Son of Man” is used 191 times in the NASB version of the Bible. Many of those (94 times) are found in the book of Ezekiel. Jesus uses the term to refer to Himself often (83 times) as recorded in all of the gospels.  

Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Matthew 8:20

"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." Matthew 9:6

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:38

And He said to them, "Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?"  Mark 9:12

"You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." Luke 12:40

"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." John 6:27

The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"  John 12:34

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.  Revelation 14:14

The Son of Man…our own Jesus. Some may still ask…Who is He? Everyone has a chance at some point in their lives to acknowledge Jesus. Is He the “Son of Man?” Is He the Son of God? Is He the Messiah? Is He the risen savior of the world? Is He God? Who is He to you? Are you willing to spend some time getting to know Him…establishing a relationship with Him? 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you today, “Who is the Son of Man?” How will you respond to His question? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, reveal Yourself to those who seek You. Personally, I want to know You more fully…and I seek You first every day of my life that I have left to live.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Watch Out

Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. "Watch out!" Jesus warned them. "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, "You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don't you understand even yet? Don't you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can't you understand that I'm not talking about bread? So again I say, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'" Then at last they understood that he wasn't speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:5-12 NLT 

Yeast in bread. Deceptive teachings. Hot air in both—causing bread to rise and giving misleading  instructions focusing on traditions—not God’s ways. Do we hear teaching…principles, doctrines…today that are full of hot air? Be careful to what you give your full attention, your focus, or your commitment. Where is your faith? Is it like the disciples? “You have so little faith!” Or are you brimming over—with a full cup sharing with others? Be careful what you teach others. Be discerning in what you hear and teach.  

RSVP: Jesus is calling us today to be careful that we are not deceived by the deceitful teachings of respected religious leaders. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus…deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. Psalm 119:17-18. Give me faith to understand and discernment so that I may know Your truth.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.