September 17
Proverbs 7:20-33, Mark 8:27-38
I just read the Proverbs reading, today, September 11. I was profoundly struck at the themes given today's anniversary of attack. Haven't processed all that yet, but I encourage you to read it and think about it.
The Mark reading captures one of the absolutely pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry, his disciples' recognition of his identity as Messiah. The text moves clearly through three phases: first Jesus' inquiry about public opinion concerning him and the disciples' opinion concerning him; second he begins to explain what Messiah means, and finally what it means to their lives to proclaim him Messiah.
Of course, the folk of Jesus' time had some definite ideas about who Messiah would be. Some were political (he would elevate Israel to power and defeat all enemies) and some were religious (he would restore right relationships between people and God). None of those ideas involved a self-sacrificing Messiah, however. In fact, Lamar Williamson in his commentary notes that one reason Jesus tells Peter to be quiet about his being Messiah is that Jesus knows Peter has a flawed concept of who Messiah is! Fred Craddock adds to that his observation that general public opinion had Jesus as forerunner of the Messiah because "Messiah as future keeps one's image intact and makes no demands; Messiah as present calls for an altered image and demands an altered self."
So many people today seem to be very clear on who Jesus is, what he would do today and what he wants us to do. What are you hearing about who Jesus is? shelly
I just read the Proverbs reading, today, September 11. I was profoundly struck at the themes given today's anniversary of attack. Haven't processed all that yet, but I encourage you to read it and think about it.
The Mark reading captures one of the absolutely pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry, his disciples' recognition of his identity as Messiah. The text moves clearly through three phases: first Jesus' inquiry about public opinion concerning him and the disciples' opinion concerning him; second he begins to explain what Messiah means, and finally what it means to their lives to proclaim him Messiah.
Of course, the folk of Jesus' time had some definite ideas about who Messiah would be. Some were political (he would elevate Israel to power and defeat all enemies) and some were religious (he would restore right relationships between people and God). None of those ideas involved a self-sacrificing Messiah, however. In fact, Lamar Williamson in his commentary notes that one reason Jesus tells Peter to be quiet about his being Messiah is that Jesus knows Peter has a flawed concept of who Messiah is! Fred Craddock adds to that his observation that general public opinion had Jesus as forerunner of the Messiah because "Messiah as future keeps one's image intact and makes no demands; Messiah as present calls for an altered image and demands an altered self."
So many people today seem to be very clear on who Jesus is, what he would do today and what he wants us to do. What are you hearing about who Jesus is? shelly
posted by shelly @ 1:30 PM
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