the 16th sunday after pentecost
the PRAYER …
O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may turn from the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
the READING …
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” mark 8:27-38
the DEVOTION …
It’s that time, again! The days shorter! The nights longer! And there’s a smell in the air … PUMPKIN SPICE, of course! But more than that, the lights are back on! The Friday night lights …
It’s the fourth quarter. Ball’s on the ten. Third and one. We’re behind by three! The disciples huddle up with Jesus. He asks a question. “Who do you say I am?” Nothing. Blank stares. They look at their feet. Slowly, Peter looks up. “You’re the messiah.” Now, Mark doesn’t tell us, just, HOW Peter answers. Only that he does. We don’t know if he shouted. Or mumbled. Or, even, if he was asking another question. “You’re the Messiah?” Hands clap! They line up on the ball. “Hike!” Peter starts forward. Jesus turns and hands him the ball! And Peter … fumbles. The other team recovers.
Now, we can shake our head. We can shout and scream at the television. But there’s a difference – a big difference – between Peter and us! Peter was there, on the line of scrimmage, in the heat of the moment. You and I read about him, the next morning, at the kitchen table, over a cup of coffee. Peter didn’t know how the game would end. We do …