Overview of: MarkToday's Reading:
Mark 8:1-38
"Miracles, Faith, and a Prediction"
Focus Verses: Mark 8:27-29
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
Insight:
There were all sorts of ideas circulating about just who Jesus was. According to Mark's account, Peter declared what he believed with the words, "You are the Christ." Luke records Peter as saying, "You are the Christ of God" (Lk. 9:20). Matthew has the fullest statement, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Mt. 16:16). In saying that he believed Jesus to be the Christ, Peter was declaring his faith that Jesus was the Messiah and deliverer promised by the prophets. Peter believed that Jesus was the one sent to "save his people." In saying he was "of God" or "the son of the Living God," Peter was declaring his faith in Jesus' deity. Peter believed that Jesus was God.
Response and Action:
There are many theories and ideas about who Jesus was/is, but I believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be. The testimony of Scripture, the anticipation of the prophets, the witness of the apostles, the unfolding story of the Church, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my own heart all confirm the claims of Jesus. Like Peter, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father--God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, of one being with the Father. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven.
O God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, into the world to save and redeem humankind. Open the eyes of my heart that I might know him more each day, O God, and that my faith might be strengthened in new ways. Confirm and increase my faith as I follow Christ. Make my life a witness to the truth of Christ. It's in his saving name that I pray. Amen.
Old Testament for Today: Prov. 30:3-4
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
In Context: Proverbs 30:2-6
Proverb for Today: Prov. 12:28
"In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality."
Recommended Reading:
The Incomparable Christ
by John Stott
