Series: Who Do You Say I Am?
Message: Who Do You Say I Am?
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 78:65-72.
Read: Matthew 16:13-24 (ESV). As you re-read the text for the final time this week in the English Standard Version, what new insights did you discover about God’s character?
Reflect: Tomorrow we celebrate communion as a community. Some tribes celebrate communion every single week, some celebrate with bread and wine, others use unleavened bread and grape juice. Within my tribe of Adventism, we choose to remain as close to the Biblical account of the first communion as possible. We try to remember that all we do points to the future, to a celebration with God in heaven one day. We see deeply rich meaning in washing one another's feet, just as Jesus did for His disciples two thousand years ago. For in washing one another's feet we embrace that in Jesus we are nether male nor female, Greek nor Jew, but one in Jesus. We remind ourselves that we are all in need of a savior. We celebrate with unleavened bread and unfermented juice as there is nothing that needs to be added or developed. In the purest simplicity we are reminded that there is nothing that needs to be added—Jesus is everything.
What I sense we often miss in the hustle and bustle of life are moments to truly reflect on all that God has done and is doing and will continue to do in our lives. This was true for the disciples also. For that reason, Jesus has to shake Peter down right after he has laid the honor of leading the movement on his shoulders. Peter wants to lead, but he wants to lead on his terms. Without sacrifice. Using his own strength. Jesus tells Peter to deny himself and take up the cross. In Luke’s version this cross is one that must be taken up every single day—not just once.
Jesus is calling each of us to not come after Him, but to journey alongside Him. He wants to be by our side every single step.
Recalibrate:
As you prepare for communion ask yourself these two questions.
Respond: Pray for forgiveness.
Research: Read The Desire of Ages, chapter 45.