By Lilly Lewin
Jesus is always asking questions! Sometimes I love this about him, and sometimes I just want a straight answer! This is a season of many questions.
Can we go back to school? What does it mean to be the Church outside the building? Can I afford to pay the rent? When will I feel safe?
Just to name a few.
In the gospel passage this week, Jesus asks his disciples a BIG Question… What are the people saying about me? and Who are they saying I am?
Peter, when asked, like always, jumps in with a strong response! “You are Messiah! You are the Christ! Our Savior, the One we’ve been waiting for for so long!” You can just feel his excitement and his enthusiasm as he answers Jesus’s question.
How are you answering this question today in the midst of everything going on around you and around the world? Read the passage and consider the questions& actions below.
Matthew 16:13-20
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ 14And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ 16Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ 17And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
QUESTIONS to ponder or journal with from this passage:
What big questions is Jesus asking you right now?
How are you responding to the questions arising in your heart?
In the midst of all the chaos of this pandemic, of all that the world is going through… what is the Holy Spirit revealing to you?
What are the rocks, the foundation stones, that you are building upon to keep you close to Jesus?
What are the rocks, the foundation stones, that you need to help you live out this kingdom life here and now? Talk to Jesus about this.
What do you want to let loose/set free? People, things that are holding you captive like emotions or physical things, or things in the world that are causing injustice. Tell Jesus to loose these things!
What things do you want to take captive?
Is there something Jesus has shown you that he doesn’t want you to disclose to others right now? Some secret insight, gift, inkling that is not ready to be shared? Ask Jesus to show you.
ACTION:
GRAB two chairs and two cups of coffee, tea, water or other favorite beverage and sit down with Jesus. Use your imagination. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you see Jesus as He really is. Sit and listen! Receive the gift of his great love today! Take time to tell Jesus where you are right now. What your feeling, what you are fearing, allow Jesus to be with you and sit with you and be your peace today!
Find a large ROCK and use it as reminder that Jesus is building his Church, his kingdom of love and grace in you and through you, even in the midst of a pandemic!
Amen.
2 comments
Thank you for this, Lilly! I appreciate the questions you raise and I am looking forward to using them this weekend during my reflection time with Jesus.
Thank you, Lilly. This has helped me to know how to pray for things that have just been revealed to me in a book I’ve just read, and also why I got upset when I shared my thoughts with others. Thank you x