Dig Deeper:
RUMOR MILL: Jesus sent His disciples out with the command to "proclaim the Kingdom of God..." (v2). The problem was that everyone the disciples ran into had their own understanding of what the Kingdom of God was. They affiliated with one prophet or another as even Peter mentions when Jesus asks him in v18-19, or they react in fear because of the skeletons in their closets like how Herod did in v9.
HOW DOES PETER GET IT RIGHT? We love to pick on Peter for all of his faults. But Peter is one of the very few people in the gospels who recognize Jesus for who He really was. Think about this today. Why does Peter recognize that Jesus is the Christ / Messiah (both words mean the same thing)? A key reason is because Peter recognizes himself. Go back to chapter 5 and see how Peter responds the first time he encounters Jesus. Is a flawed understanding of yourself causing you to have a flawed understanding of who Jesus is?
SUMMER RERUNS: This is now the third time we're reading through an account of Jesus' life. For more insights into the transfiguration and of the brouhaha that Jesus walked into regarding the demon possessed boy, go back to the DIG DEEPER posts on Matthew 17 and Mark 9.
HOW COULD THEY MISS THIS? Jesus twice makes it very clear not only that He must suffer and die (v22 & 44), but also that three days after He is killed He will be raised to life (v22). How could any of these disciples react the way they did on Good Friday having been told this? But then think of all of the thousands of sermons and Bible readings and lessons you've heard in your life, but then when push comes to shove you so often descend into despair and doubt. Pray that God will keep you strong and cause you to remember the truth you've been told over and over about who He is and what He's done.
AAA Prayer Tips:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God is the King
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me (v23).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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