Living in the Spirit
September 15, 2018
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. –Mark 8:27-30
Who do we say that Jesus is? I am what some call a cradle Christian I learned Jesus Loves Me when I was in the womb. From the beginning, Jesus was my friend. At some point, Jesus became my standard, my role model, perhaps my conscience. Perhaps that was my elementary introduction to the Holy Spirit. The older I got that role morphed into Jesus being my guide and my life’s traveling companion. Please note that all these relationships are “me and Jesus”, one on one.
My sense of Jesus as one to many grew through my childhood also. I was a justice advocate in grade school. When I saw my sister being discriminated against in 4-H contests, I dropped out of 4-H in protest. As a child of the 60’s I was molded through the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Routinely bumping up against a glass ceiling throughout my career added credence to the need for justice for all.
I finally realized I too could answer the question “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Messiah”, the chosen one, the promised one, come to set the world on its correct course and calling me and all of us to join with him in that quest.
Prayer: Messiah, join us together to maximize our efforts toward making a world ruled by love a reality. Amen.