Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Right Answer

Matthew 16:13-17

Peter's Confession of Christ
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[a] the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.


Reflection of Bee:

Many non-Christians, and even Christians, struggled to understand what is said in the Bible. They may find certain sayings in the Bible ridiculous. One good example is found in John 6:51-66:

Jesus said:
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

The Jews' (non-Christians') reaction:
52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

The disciples' (Christians') reaction:
60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

Jesus' response:
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[a] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

The disciples deserted Jesus:
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.


To be able to discern correctly about spiritual things needs the revelation from the Holy Spirit (v17). In order to have such revelation we need to have the hunger for truth and seek God for the answer.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for revealing Your truth to me as I seek Your face. Thank You for speaking to my heart and teaching me about You and Your desires. I pray that I will be sensitive to You and Your leading and not to doubt You or dessert You when I don't understand, but to stay on and wait for Your answers.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Labels: ,

Friday, April 27, 2007

A Fire To Be Kindled

Luke 24:13-32
On the Road to Emmaus
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"


Reflection of Bee:

It is true of what Bill Crowder said in today's Daily Bread:

Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.

Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 8:1, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." When we have too much knowledge we then to become proud and not sensitive to hear others with our hearts.

In the above passage, Jesus had to open the eyes of the two persons whom He spoke to in order for them to recognize Him. We too need our eyes and hearts to be opened by God so that they are not blinded or crowded with too much informations to see the important things in life. May our heart be quick and not slow to understand and believe what God has told us.


Dear Lord,
I pray that I will build up others with Your love rather than let knowledge hinder me from being receptive to others.
Again I want to pray for a quick recovery for my friend, Tommy, from his illness. Let him rest well and not worry too much. I pray that he will complete all his assignments on time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Labels: , ,