Written by the Rev. Sharon Dennard, dean of the Mount Ararat Theological Academy at Mount Ararat Baptist Church, and brought to you by the Metro-Urban Institute at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Today we depart from the Daily Lectionary to explore Matthew 16.

Matthew 16:15

“He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’”

Devotional

What about us? Our perception is important. Ignorance and error breeds confusion, fear, dread, panic. Our souls are disquieted. Untrue, unhealthy, and unproductive conclusions transmitted through cultural background noise and negative internal self-chatter must be cast aside. So it is only fitting that we, without reservation, echo Peter’s confession: Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, the Son of the living God. 

Totally innocent - though unjustly condemned.
Fully forgiving - though mercilessly persecuted.
Undeniably victorious - even while dying.
Eternally alive - and coming again.

His compassion has captured our hearts and inspired an ever-living hope and provided self-renewing mercy. When lonely, broken, weary, angry, empty, or afraid His sustaining presence revives our souls.  Because of Him we are new, whole, and free.

The unique God-man standing before His disciples in Caesarea Philippi more than 20 centuries years ago is God’s incomparable Christ—our Savior and Lord! He will never bail out, give up, give in, or let go. Enthroned in heaven and alive in our hearts, His realm encompasses our every thought, word, and deed.  Our prayer is to daily choose to live to honor His enduring sacrifice and appreciate our own priceless redemption.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us ears that hear, and eyes that see, and hearts that hold compassion, that we may participate in your will until you come again. Amen.

Written by the Rev. Sharon Dennard, dean of the Mount Ararat Theological Academy at Mount Ararat Baptist Church, and brought to you by the Metro-Urban Institute at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Today we depart from the Daily Lectionary to explore Matthew 16.

Matthew 16:15

“He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’”

Devotional

What about us? Our perception is important. Ignorance and error breeds confusion, fear, dread, panic. Our souls are disquieted. Untrue, unhealthy, and unproductive conclusions transmitted through cultural background noise and negative internal self-chatter must be cast aside. So it is only fitting that we, without reservation, echo Peter’s confession: Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, the Son of the living God. 

Totally innocent - though unjustly condemned.
Fully forgiving - though mercilessly persecuted.
Undeniably victorious - even while dying.
Eternally alive - and coming again.

His compassion has captured our hearts and inspired an ever-living hope and provided self-renewing mercy. When lonely, broken, weary, angry, empty, or afraid His sustaining presence revives our souls.  Because of Him we are new, whole, and free.

The unique God-man standing before His disciples in Caesarea Philippi more than 20 centuries years ago is God’s incomparable Christ—our Savior and Lord! He will never bail out, give up, give in, or let go. Enthroned in heaven and alive in our hearts, His realm encompasses our every thought, word, and deed.  Our prayer is to daily choose to live to honor His enduring sacrifice and appreciate our own priceless redemption.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us ears that hear, and eyes that see, and hearts that hold compassion, that we may participate in your will until you come again. Amen.