Encounter: As you approach the Scriptures, settle your body, mind, and heart. Place both feet firmly on the ground and take a few deep breaths. As you breathe in say, "Word of God." Then, as you breathe out say, "living and active."
Take a few minutes to read through the following passages. As you do so, consider the parallels between these passage. Note your answers to these questions as you read:
What are the similarities between the context of both the Israelites and Jesus's disciples? Recall that Caesarea Philippi was known for a pagan place of worship called the Gates of Hell.
What are the differences between where the Israelites find themselves and where the disciples find themselves?
Read
Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Joshua 1:6-9
Matthew 16:13-20
This week we finish up the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is a unique book in the Bible because it is a book of remembrance. Throughout this book, Moses is pointing the Israelites' attention back to all God has done to show that He has chosen them to be His people and that His choosing them sets them apart from those around them. Despite the Israelites' continued disobedience, and their future disobedience, God continues to guide them to the Promised Land. God's plan for His people was to provide them with a place of rest, and nothing, not even Israel's own shortcomings, would stop God from following through on His promises.
Along our own journey of faith in Christ today, we are often faced with challenges that are similar in nature to those that the Israelites faced on their journey. Perhaps it is grumblings about how life used to be or being tempted to find our own way when God just seems to be taking too long. Like Jesus's disciples in the Matthew 16 passage, perhaps we see the challenge of competing worldviews around us and we feel tension about how to defend our faith.
In the midst of these and other challenges, Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?" Like stepping outside after a cool rain has pushed the heat of summer's sun and soaked the parched land, we are refreshed by the encounter Jesus offers. Somehow in the middle of challenges, our body, mind, and heart seem to so easily get caught up. We feel the frenetic pull of worry, fear, anxiety leaving our muscles tense, our minds confused, and our hearts exhausted. It is right into the center of that mess that Jesus enters and asks the simple question, "Who do you say I am?"
This Sunday we join together to praise to the God who remains God amidst our journeying/wandering; the God who is continually fulfilling His promises; the God whose invitation is always open.
Reflect: If you could place yourself in any of the Scriptures above, which would be easiest for you to relate to right now? Do you feel like Moses - he was at the end of his journey, full of clarity and strength, yet facing the difficult consequences of his sin? Do you feel like Joshua - the newly appointed leader of Israel who, ready or not, would be leading the Israelites into the Promised Land? Do you feel like one of Jesus's disciples - standing at the Gates of Hell, yet confidently placing your hope in Christ the Messiah?
Spiritual Practices: To whichever person you seem to relate to easiest, go back to the Scripture that describes them (Moses - Deuteronomy 34:1-4, Joshua - Joshua 1:6-9, or disciple - Matthew 16:13-20). Grab a piece of paper and something to write with, then hand write that portion of Scripture.
Gather: With your family, life group, or triad, describe what it was like for you to hand write a piece of Scripture. Did hand writing force you to slow down with your time in the Word?
Discuss the challenges that can so easily tangle you up. How does Jesus's question, "who do you say I am?" invite you to slow down with Him and enable you to present those challenges to Him?
In the midst with you,
Pastor Matt
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