Advent :: Offending Jesus

A response to Then Came Jesus by Lara Williams :: Week 3, Day 5

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When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I 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.” Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭13-23‬ NKJV)

Like Simon Peter I may have some understading of who Jesus is, but I don’t have it all figured out.  And like Simon Peter when I try to tell God how things should be I show my ignorance, my arrogance, and my lack of trust in Him.

When I don’t trust God’s plan it is offensive to Him.  I don’t know better than He does because I don’t have His eternal perspective.  God can see the end result of every situation, I can not.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8-9‬ NKJV)

Lord, I confess my ignorance, my arrogance, and my mis-trust.  I ask that You forgive me.  I believe that You still love me and want me in Your kingdom.  May I never forget how small I am compared to You.  May I never forget how short-sighted I am compared to You.  May I trust You and Your ways always.  In Your name I pray, amen.


image11Are you reading Then Came Jesus or another advent study?  What is God revealing to you?  Please let me know by leaving a comment.  You can also find out more about Lara Williams and her book Then Came Jesus here.

 

 

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