February 15, 2012

Week 6- Reading the Stories of the New Testament
Day 2- How the Stories Work
Mark 8:31-33

Sidenote:  Hey, there reader.  Have you chosen a Psalm and "prayed" it yet?  If not, why not?  Ya' chicken?  I double dare you.   :-)    Don't be afraid to take risks in your spiritual life.  The way we have "always done things" oft times leads one in to a rut.  I don't know where I heard it, but a "rut is just a grave with no ends".  Hmmm. . .

On Sunday, the question was raised, "Why did the disciples wait so long to write the gospels?"  The answer offered by the instructor was that the disciples had the notion that Christ 2nd coming was going to happen in their lifetimes.  When they realized this might not happen, they decided to record their time with Christ.  I cannot offer a better answer, but for some reason, that answer leaves me unsettled.  Thoughts?

As I spend time reading and rereading the New Testament, the personality of Peter and his relationship with Christ fascinates me more and more.  Today's lesson was from the eighth chapter of Mark.  Jesus was speaking "openly" about his future rejection, torture, death and resurrection.  Peter "took Him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke Him".  Yikes!  Obviously Peter still did not get that Jesus was God incarnate.  Jesus was the Great I Am.  Pretty bold of Peter to rebuke God.  However in Peter's defense, he had not yet witnessed the death and resurrection of Christ.  Peter did not have the synoptic gospels to reassure him.  Peter was being asked to believe the near impossible without the benefit of hindsight.

I can give Peter some leeway.  BUT, as a Christians I do have the gospels.  I do have the Holy Spirit indwelling me.  I can be sure that what Christ predicted came to fruition.  Why then do I "pull Christ aside and rebuke Him" through my disobedience.  God tells me He will provide for all my needs.  Yet I rebuke Him by worrying about money.  I am instructed to seek Him first and all I need will be provided.  Yet I rebuke Him by spending far more time in earthly pursuits than in the Heavenly.

My rebukes are not verbal, or perhaps even conscious most of the time.  However, on a consistent basis, my actions speak far louder than Peter's words.  How many times does God shake His head and say, "David, you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns!"

Obedience not sacrifice.  Heart assurance, not intellectual belief.