Good Morning 07-01

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
"This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Zech. 12:7-10
Gal. 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24
Psalm 63:1-8

Jesus asked his disciples the question. "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." Jesus then sternly commanded his disciples to tell this to no one until after His suffering, death, and resurrection were complete. Why did Jesus make such a command.

Jesus knew that popular expectations about the Messiah needed to be overturned. Many people expected God's Messiah to take up military weapons of violence and hatred against the enemies of Israel. The Messiah was supposed to lead soldiers against the Roman army in a showdown of apocalyptic proportions. Some expected the Messiah to win back political power and material prosperity so that God's people could rule the world.

But the truth about the Messiah as Jesus revealed in His journey to the cross was something very different. God's Messiah comes as one who suffers, who dies, who loves, who forgives, who extends grace to all people. Disciples of God's Messiah follow a similar path of bearing their cross daily and losing their lives in service to Christ and to their neighbors in need.

Christian friends, as each day unfolds, we must pause and remind ourselves that this is a day dedicated to God, that it is to be used for His glory, and that it is best lived with a continual recollection of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Let's make it a daily commitment.

      The Christian life is more that just
      A prayer of faith made in the past;
      It's dedication every day
      To live for Christ and what will last

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Dedication to Christ is not just a one time choice, it's a daily challenge.