Thursday February 3, 2022

Today is Thursday, February 3 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about foundations.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me. I enter this time of prayer to experience your abiding presence. Break new ground in my heart and soul this year. Teach me to build my life on a solid foundation and bedrock of truth. Come, Holy Spirit, reveal your message to me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his loving care for me with the words of Psalm 18.

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2

Pause and Pray

Who do people say Jesus is? The popular world view is that Jesus is one of many great leaders of world history. Because he was assassinated he gained a great following. Jesus was a great man like Ghandi who lived a long time ago in ancient Israel and did a lot of good things. Jesus was one of the great messengers sent to mankind by Allah. Jesus was a great prophet like Moses, Elijah or Jeremiah. He was an enlightened teacher like Buddha or one of the many deities of a pantheon of gods in Hinduism. He was a historical figure who lived in Nazareth and taught profound teachings. In the book of Matthew, the religious leaders of the day could not figure out who Jesus was either. The Pharisees and the Sadducees created conflict over his identity. Jesus and his disciples travel to Caesarea Philippi, an ancient greco-roman city built in a unique area. A rocky face rises 100 feet into the sky and stretches out 500 feet wide. Herod the Great built a temple there in 19 B.C. to honor Caesar. The temple sat in front of the cave that was believed to be the gateway to hell.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter (petra (Gk) meaning rock), and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:13-18

I imagine myself alongside Jesus and the disciples at the interesting geological site of Caesarea Philippi engulfed by the massive rocky edifice. Pagan rulers had constructed an enormous white marble temple for the worship of fertility gods and the emperor Caesar. This was an impressive building and amazing construction achievement. I hear Jesus ask me the questions, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? What about you? Who do you say I am?” How will I answer his question? What is my honest response? What do I truly believe in my heart of hearts? Peter makes the confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The church is built on that confession – the witness of who Christ is.

Ask: Who do I say Jesus is? Have I built my life on the rock of Jesus Christ’s true identity?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, I confess you are the Messiah. You are the Son of the living God. You are the way and the truth and the life. Thank you Father God for revealing this truth to me and affirming it in my heart. Thank you for the church built on the witnesses of faith over generations which vanquishes fear and overcomes evil. I read your words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter (petra (Gk) meaning rock), and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:13-18

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God always has fresh things to show me and teach me when I read his holy word. Even scripture passages with which I am very familiar. I listen attentively each day for God’s word addressed particularly to me and my current circumstances and state of soul. I consider the emotions the passage evokes in me today – perhaps curiosity, doubt, fear, certainty, conviction, or hope. I examine my heart to see how I am responding to the text. The Father in heaven revealed Jesus’ identity to Simon Peter. What is God wanting to reveal to me? I consider what I am worried about today. What am I afraid of? What causes me fear? Do I have confidence that the rock of the church is stronger than the gates of Hades? Do I have confidence that my faith can overcome all forms of evil and the ways the darkness presents itself?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, Messiah, Redeemer and Lord, come into my life anew this day. I believe you have ultimate power over evil. You are the one to fight my battles, vanquish my fears, overcome my concerns, and change my circumstances. I build my life on the truth of who you are regardless of what the world says. Amen.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

I leave this time of prayer believing in my heart the truth of Christ and proclaiming with my lips his salvation to all.

Amen.