Post by Woody Williams on May 23, 2007 8:08:42 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Luke 9:18-24
----------
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him,
he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered,
"John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of
the ancient prophets has arisen." He said to them, "But who do you
say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying,
"The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the
elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third
day be raised."
Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let
them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For
those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will save it."
Devotional
----------
Some of the most brutal and long lasting wars have been centered in
religious differences. In the Old Testament times it often was "my
god is bigger than your god." When Jesus came preaching, teaching and
healing he was radically rejected by many. He was attacked and
killed. Jesus' followers have often been persecuted or engaged in
violent conflicts. In the midst of his conflict Jesus was the Lamb of
God who bore the sins of the world, forgiving those who sought to
kill him.
Prayer
---------------
Give me a heart for forgiveness and peace, gracious God. Amen
----------
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him,
he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered,
"John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of
the ancient prophets has arisen." He said to them, "But who do you
say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying,
"The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the
elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third
day be raised."
Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let
them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For
those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will save it."
Devotional
----------
Some of the most brutal and long lasting wars have been centered in
religious differences. In the Old Testament times it often was "my
god is bigger than your god." When Jesus came preaching, teaching and
healing he was radically rejected by many. He was attacked and
killed. Jesus' followers have often been persecuted or engaged in
violent conflicts. In the midst of his conflict Jesus was the Lamb of
God who bore the sins of the world, forgiving those who sought to
kill him.
Prayer
---------------
Give me a heart for forgiveness and peace, gracious God. Amen