“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they told Him, John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ And He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” Mark 8:27-29
On this morning after Easter, I hope and pray that the glow of yesterday has NOT worn off. It was wonderful to be in the new building…but it was even more wonderful to have so many of our family members back in worship with us once again. BUT…it was even more wonderful to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord together. We are so much better together as we worship the Godhead with one voice proclaiming who Jesus is…our Resurrected and Ascended Lord… who is reigning now …the One who will return…soon!
With the wonder of yesterday’s celebration it would be easy to answer the question that Jesus puts to His disciples. Jesus is the Christ…the Son of the living God! But, tomorrow and the next day will we give thought to the answer to the questions He poses to His disciples…a question that He even asked the Pharisees in Matthew’s Gospel the day before He was arrested. This is the question that we are to be ready every day to answer with conviction and with grace towards others, especially towards those who do not know. “And on the way He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they told Him, John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’” These answers can never be acceptable, for we are to really care about those who do not know.
But it is this question that remains the most important question for us to answer. “And He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” Will our words and actions still communicate our confession of yesterday that He is Risen, when the day gets dark and anxiety finds its home within our hearts? Will our words and actions reflect this truth when the day gets hard…because it will? Will those around us still be left wondering who Jesus is, rather than seeing Jesus in and through us because we seek relief from the distress that God has brought our way rather than making Jesus known to them?
He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Restorer of all things—the Alpha and Omega, and everything in between. Angels worship Him, birds depend on Him. “The heavens declare the glory of God…”all day every day. Do we the very top of His created beings strive to do this as well?
He is faithful, just, merciful and gracious…for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the first-born, and the beginning and the end…our God, our Redeemer our Refuge and our Hope. He is the LORD of and over all. We do well to live with such confession upon our lips that we may always carry His light in our hearts.
And wonder of wonders, we are always in His heart, and on His mind…all the time. For we are “in Christ”…this doesn’t make us “special,” it makes us His. He knows us perfectly, and delights in us fully. There’s never a moment He is not loving, and advocating for us.
Family, on this morning after Easter press on to cultivate the sense of yesterday so that our words and actions clearly articulate that He is the Christ for He has Risen…He has risen indeed.
God Bless y’all today and this week!
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
“Christos Anesti…Alethos anesti!”
