When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16
Who Is Jesus?
More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other individual in history. One website estimates the number in the tens of thousands. As one might imagine, these books contain just about every opinion imaginable. Some view Jesus as God in human flesh. Others view him as a great human teacher. And some even claim that Jesus never existed at all.
What about you? What do you believe about Jesus? That was the question Jesus asked his closest followers one day. There were all kinds of rumors floating around about this amazing Rabbi named Jesus. Although there were differences of opinion, everyone agreed that there was nothing ordinary about him. In fact, Jesus’ words and miracles were so amazing that many people thought he must be one of the prophets of old who had come back to life.
Peter, one of the men who knew Jesus best, understood why Jesus was so amazing. Jesus was none other than God himself, who came to earth in human flesh. Jesus was the One God had been promising since Adam and Eve had first rebelled against him. Jesus was the One who would repair the relationship between God and his rebellious children. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
He still is. Jesus is not simply a great human teacher. He is not just an interesting historical figure. He is not one religious leader among many. And he most certainly exists. He is your God. He is your Savior. He is your hope for a life beyond this one and your hope for a life of meaning and purpose here and now.
Finally, it doesn’t really matter what a website says about Jesus. What matters is what you say about Jesus. Who do you say he is? Say he is your Lord and life and love—because he is.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to me as my God and my Savior from sin. May this belief be reflected in everything I do and say. Amen.
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:23-28
Persevere
A Canaanite woman came to Jesus with her humble plea to help her daughter who was tormented by a demon. But Jesus did not answer a word. It wasn’t that she just asked Jesus once; she continued to beg and plead for mercy. Yet Jesus acted as though he didn’t hear her.
When the Savior pretended not to hear the woman’s plea, Jesus was not rebuffing her or being rude to her. There was no unwillingness to help her, but through his silence he sought to test and strengthen her faith. Jesus wanted her to persevere in her plea by the strength supplied from God through the promise of his Word.
Jesus will use life’s circumstances for the great benefit of humbling us and teaching us to steadfastly cling to the promises of God’s Word. A persevering faith is for our good so that when our Savior comes back, we will not have disowned him in unbelief. But, by the power of God, we will have remained faithful to Jesus so that through him, we will enter eternal life.
We praise our Savior that though there are times we always don’t understand the way he treats us, we know that he has our best interests in mind. So, in all circumstances we thank Jesus for helping us persevere and grow in our saving faith.
Prayer:
Jesus, the most important thing for me is to have faith in you as my Savior. Through testing and trials leads me to cling to the precious promises of your Word so that my faith will be sustained until the end when you will take me to glory of heaven. Amen.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Matthew 15:21-22
Don’t Think You Are Not Welcome
This woman had every reason to stay away from Jesus. She was a Canaanite. Jesus was a Jew. For centuries, there had been a separation between Jews and Gentiles. The Canaanites were not part of Israel. They were not heirs of the Old Testament covenant in the same way the Jewish people were.
Yet she came anyway.
Desperation certainly played a role. Her daughter was suffering terribly. But there was something more. This woman believed that Jesus could help. She even addressed him as “Lord, Son of David,” recognizing him as the promised Messiah. Somehow, she had come to trust that this Jewish teacher was more than a teacher. He was the Savior.
What happened next might seem discouraging at first. Jesus initially remained silent. Then he spoke of being sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet the woman did not give up. She continued to plead for mercy. She trusted that Jesus’ compassion was greater than the barriers that seemed to stand between them.
And she was right. By the end of the account, Jesus praised her faith and granted her request. Her daughter was healed, and the outsider was welcomed.
What a beautiful picture of God’s grace toward us. By nature, we too were outsiders. Sin separated us from God. We had no claim upon his favor and no right to stand in his presence. Yet he came to save the world. Through his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, he opened the door of salvation to all people.
Like the Canaanite woman, we approach Jesus empty-handed. We come seeking mercy, not deserving rewards. We come confessing our need, not our worthiness. And like that woman, we discover that Jesus welcomes us.
So come to him boldly. The mercy you seek is found in him, and his welcome is greater than you ever expected.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for welcoming me into your family through your saving grace. Amen.
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1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers advance against me to eat my flesh, when my foes and my enemies come against me, it is they who will stumble and fall. 3 If an army lines up against me, my heart will not fear. If war rises against me, even then I will keep trusting.
Happy in God’s Temple
4 One thing I ask from the Lord. This is what I seek: that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple. [1] 5 Yes, he will hide me in his shelter on the day of trouble. He will hide me in his tent. He will set me high on a rock. 6 Then my head will be lifted up above the enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices at his tent with a joyful shout. I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Confident in Prayer
7 Hear me, O Lord. With my voice I call. Be merciful to me and answer me. 8 When you say, “Seek my face,” my heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God who saves me. 10 If my father and my mother abandoned me, the Lord would take me in.
Walking in God’s Path
11 Lord, teach me your way, and lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not give me up to the desire of my foes, because false witnesses rise up against me, and so do those who breathe out violence.
At Home in God’s Land
13 Unless I was confident to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living— [2] 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord!
Footnotes
Psalm 27:4 The Hebrew word hekal, usually translated temple, means big house. It can refer to a palace or a temple. It can apply to the tent sanctuaries built by Moses and David and to the temple building constructed by Solomon.
Psalm 27:13 As it stands, the Hebrew text is an incomplete sentence which calls for a conclusion such as “I would have lost hope.” As the text stands, the construction breaks off and jumps to a positive affirmation. Some Hebrew manuscripts omit the initial word unless and have a positive statement: I am confident that I will . . .
1 Judge me favorably, O Lord, because I have walked in my integrity. In the Lord I have trusted. I have not wavered. 2 Test me, O Lord, and examine me. Refine my thoughts and my emotions, 3 for your mercy is in front of my eyes, and I keep walking in your truth.
Separation From Evil
4 I do not sit with deceivers. I do not associate with hypocrites. 5 I hate the company of evildoers. I do not sit with the wicked.
Affirmation of Innocence and Love for God
6 I wash my hands from sin, so I can march around your altar, O Lord, 7 to shout thanks to you and to proclaim all your wonderful deeds. 8 Lord, I love the house where you reside, the place where your glory dwells.
Separation From Evil
9 Do not snatch my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 who grasp wicked schemes in their hands, whose right hands are full of bribes.
Affirmation of Innocence and Prayer for Redemption
11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My feet stand on level ground. In the assemblies I will bless the Lord.
1 To you, O Lord, I will lift up my soul. 2 In you I have trusted, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3 All who hope in you will never be put to shame, but those who are treacherous for no reason will be put to shame.
A Prayer for Forgiveness
4 Make known to me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. 5 Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long. 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercy, for they are from eternity. [1] 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your mercy remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he instructs sinners in the right way. 9 He directs the humble to what is just, and he teaches the humble his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you forgive my guilt, although it is great.
A Prayer for a Godly Life
12 Who, then, is the man who fears the Lord? The Lord will instruct him in the way he chooses. 13 That man will enjoy a good life, and his descendants will possess the land. 14 The guidance [2] of the Lord is with those who fear him. His covenant will give them knowledge.
A Second Prayer for Protection
15 My eyes are always on the Lord, because he frees my feet from the net. 16 Turn toward me and be gracious to me, because I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The distress of my heart increases. [3] Bring me out of my anguish. 18 See my affliction and my trouble, and take away all my sins. 19 See my enemies— how they have increased, and how violently they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress!
Footnotes
Psalm 25:6 Or from of old
Psalm 25:14 The Hebrew word used here implies the kind of advice given by a close friend and confidant.
Psalm 25:17 Or, following an alternate reading of the Hebrew, relieve the distress of my heart
1 The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. 2 He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The Shepherd Protects His People
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The Royal Host Provides for His People
5 You set a table for me in the presence of my foes. You drench my head with oil. [1] My cup is overflowing. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. [2]
Psalm 24
The King of Glory
Heading
By David. A psalm.
The King of Glory Owns the Whole World
1 The earth is the Lord’s and everything that fills it, the world and all who live in it, 2 because he founded it on the seas, and he established it on the rivers. [3]
The King of Glory Is Served by a Holy People
3 Who may go up to the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, whose soul is not set on what is false, who does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God who saves him. 6 Such are the people of Jacob who look for the Lord, who seek your face. [4]Interlude
The King of Glory Comes
7 Lift up your heads, you gates. Lift yourselves up, you ancient doors, and the King of Glory will come in. 8 Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates. Lift up, you ancient doors, and the King of Glory will come in. 10 Who is he, this King of Glory? The Lord of Armies—he is the King of Glory. Interlude [5]
Footnotes
Psalm 23:5 Scenting someone with perfumed olive oil was a part of celebrations. The verb used here is not the verb used for anointing someone to an office.
Psalm 23:6 Literally for length of days or for days without end
Psalm 24:2 Or ocean currents
Psalm 24:6 Literally this is the generation (or circle) of those who seek him, who seek your face Jacob. The syntax of the verse is difficult. It appears that in the Hebrew Jacob should be understood as an apposition to those who seek him. The Greek reads the generation of those who look for him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Psalm 24:10 The Hebrew selah seems to indicate a musical interlude for reflection.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised nor detested the affliction of the afflicted. He has not hidden his face from him, but when he cried out to him, he heard. 25 You are the source of my praise in the great congregation. [1] I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear him.
The Glory of Messiah’s Kingdom
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek him will praise the Lord— may he live in your hearts forever! [2] 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before you. 28 For the kingdom belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will eat and bow down. All who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. [3] 30 Descendants will serve him. For generations people will be told about the Lord. 31 They will come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet to be born— because he has done it.
Footnotes
Psalm 22:25 This verse may mean that the Son praises the Father in the great congregation (as in verse 22) or that the Father praises the Son in the great congregation. The first option seems to fit the context best.
Psalm 22:26 Or may your hearts live forever
Psalm 22:29 The ancient versions read my soul will live for him rather than my soul will not live.
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