Consider Peter-RJD April 2014

Journal Entry, February 26, 2004

Mark 14:27-31

Peter boasted to Jesus, “The others might leave you but I will follow you even to your death.” Jesus replied, “Peter, you are wrong about this, in fact you will deny me three times before the cock crows twice.”

This man Peter is a very interesting person to modern day readers. He is best described as impetuous. William Barclay describes him as “having a quick temper and given to quarrelling, a typical Galilean. But Peter, like the Galileans, had a tender chivalrous side.” Barclay describes him further as “emotional, easily roused by an appeal to adventure and loyal to the end.”*

Tonight, I went to see “The Passion of the Christ”, depicting the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life. The movie showed Peter boasting that he would follow Jesus to the end. In the depiction of the three denials I saw Peter as he realized what he had done. He looked stunned then devastated.

Each of us has a little bit of Simon Peter in our make-up. We say things that sound great, eve admirable. But then reality sets in and we have to face our humanity. And wait for an opportunity to try to do better. Peter does get to tell Jesus that he loves Him. Peter is restored, actually commissioned to carry Christ’s message and Christianity to others.

UPDATE:

Yes, there is a bit of Peter in each of us, especially me. I find myself thinking about doing this or that and the project doesn’t get done, doesn’t even get beyond the mental planning stage. Or I abandon said project when, I don’t see it going anywhere or to a place I like.

Maybe, the things I think about are not what Jesus wants me to do. Maybe He has something else in mind for me at that time.  Yes, I have been impetuous and put my foot in my mouth several times over the years. I am human . . . so was Peter. Of the principles in the story of Holy Week, I identify with Peter. With whom do you identify?

Llinked to:enthusiasticallydawn.com

Graphic:quietspirt-following my king.

1.     * William Barclay The Master’s Men

Exalted

 “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and  gave him the name above every name.”

Philippians 2:9 (NIV)

“Therefore. . .” Because of all that God had done. Jesus humbled himself.

“God exalted him. . .” God raised up His Son. At baptism, He sent down His Spirit in the form of a dove. He spoke words of pride, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17, NIV) Matthew Henry tells us “because he humbled himself, God exalted him. He exalted the whole person, the human nature as well as the divine. His exaltation is made to consist of honour (sic) and power.”¹

“. . .to the highest place. . .” The highest place is in heaven—at the right hand of God. This is a very hallowed place reserved for only the most perfect of people. God granted Jesus, His perfect Son, the right to rule with Him.

“. . . the name above every name.” When we name our children, we give each of them a name that is special to us. God gave His Son, the greatest honor of all—a name possibly known only to Him. 

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1. Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry, Marshall, Morgan and Scott Ltd. London©1960, © 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Page 1863

graphic:www.parkingspace23.com

Book Review: Amazed and Confused (When God’s Actions Collide With Our Expectations)

 By Heather Zempel

Mrs. Zempel explores the messages of the book of Habakkuk through shining a light onto the complaints of the prophet.

As the author points out the discussion between Habakkuk and the Lord God, we find that God is not necessarily nice. His actions sometimes confuse us. God chooses to allow wrong things to happen to His children. He intended to use the Babylonians to rout Jerusalem. He tells Habakkuk his plan.

Mrs. Zempel makes us examine our faith and the presence of God in our everyday circumstances.

She reminds her readers, “. . . but the righteous shall live by faith.”(Habakkuk 2:4)

She makes a distinction between an ‘if’ faith and an ‘if not’ faith. We all know the story of Meshach, Shadrack, and Abed-nego. They believed that God would rescue them from the fiery furnace but ‘even if He doesn’t, we will still go through it.’ Heather calls this, ‘if not’ faith.

On the inside of the front cover is an attached flyleaf with a very interesting thought. “If you get seated next to Habakkuk at the marriage supper of the Lamb, you won’t have to say, ‘I’m sorry, I never read your book.’” She then gives the reader some helps to correct this oversight a lot of us might have.

I found this Bible Study very well-done. It caused me to ponder my own idea of faith and the need for God’s presence in all situations of my life. I have shared some of the questions and exercises in this study with some of my Christian sisters and brothers.

I would recommend this book to women who would want to better understand the story of Habakkuk and his relationship with the Lord. One drawback I see, and this concerns me is the book might be one that is priced out of range of a lot of women.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Inc. via Thomas Nelson Publishing through its Book Look Bloggers program. All I was asked to do was give an honest review.

graphic: www.heatherzempel.com