THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 “But who do you say that I am?” Luke 9:18-25 Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” to which they replied “John the Baptist,” “Elijah,” “one of the prophets has arisen.” “But who do you say that I am?” Jesus went on. And Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Peter answered with assertion, he answered with conviction and without hesitation. Peter the Rock. And yet, it was Peter who denied Jesus three times on the night he was betrayed. Peter who said he did not even know Jesus. And so it is today that we may be asked who we think Jesus is. Others may say he was a great man- a lover of the poor, the first socialist, a noble prophet, or a mere historical figure. Some may even say he was a lunatic. And what shall we say? Do we respond with the faith of Peter? “Who do you say that I am?” You are the Messiah, the son of God, our savior! Maybe we do. But maybe we doubt. Maybe we deny. Lent gives us forty days to take the time to bolster our faith, to increase our knowledge of scripture and, in prayer, to ask ourselves anew the question, who is Jesus? Let us strive for Peter’s conviction, so that we can boldly declare on Easter Sunday, “He is risen! The Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.” PRAYER O God, you sent your Son so that we may know you. When we deny you, forgive us. Strengthen our faith and enrich our knowledge of you in your Word and in our lives that we, as Peter, may proclaim you as the Messiah in all we say and do. Amen. CHRISTINE G. HOFFMAN Parish Secretary, First Lutheran Church
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:00:00 +0000