"Everyday Opportunity"

Scripture Passage

Mark 8:22-30; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18-20; Mark 8:31-9:1; Matthew 16:21-28; Luke 9:21-27; Mark 9:2-13; Matthew 17:1-13; Luke 9:28-36

Scripture Focus

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21 NLT)

Observation

Today’s reading contains a most remarkable series of events. Most familiar, perhaps, is that moment when Peter declares that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16 NLT). That is, I’m convinced, the single most important issue any person will ever address—who is Jesus, exactly? A great teacher or philosopher? A miracle worker? Perhaps simply a madman spouting inconsistent babble? Or is Peter correct—is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God? If Peter is correct, everything changes—everything.

It’s always been interesting to me that once the disciples have declared their understanding—once the disciples have affirmed Christ’s person and role—Jesus immediately begins to explain what this means in terms that are the opposite of what the disciples expected.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21 NLT)

Spiritual growth seems to often work like that for me. About the time I finally start to “get” something, Jesus turns it all on its head and reveals a whole new perspective I hadn’t seen or considered before. Turns out (again) that all I thought I knew about who Jesus is (surprise!) isn’t all there is to know about who Jesus is. That’s wonderful and frustrating both.

And that’s at least one part of the beauty of growing daily "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). I’ll never be without the opportunity for understanding better tomorrow what I already love understanding today. It's my everyday opportunity.

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