Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
“Testing” Jesus (14:25-33) - Peter sort of tests Jesus by asking, “If it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” It’s a test (“if it’s you”), but unlike the devil’s temptations in the wilderness (ch 3), this one is inviting Jesus to beckon Peter to greater faith. This test welcomes Jesus to be Himself by calling disciples from their comfort zones into acts of deeper trust.
Inside out (15:16-20) - There were many rules about defilement—how one becomes defiled, how one avoids becoming defiled, how one deals with having become defiled. Jesus shifts the focus. Defilement is less of and outside-in problem and more of an inside-out problem. We can avoid certain situations, but if we are still spewing garbage, then our heart is defiled no matter how outwardly “clean” we are.
Who do you say? (16:15-16) - This is THE question! Jesus begins the conversation by asking who others are saying that He is. He knows He’s gaining a reputation and is thought of alongside the prophets of old. What others think is not enough, however. All of us must decide and answer Jesus’ question for ourselves: “But what about you, who do you say I am?” Peter’s answer is instructive. Jesus is many things to many people, but only one answer gets it right. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
Questions:
Is there a step of faith that Jesus would like you to test Him with?
Who do you say Jesus is?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, I will rejoice and take refuge in you. I will rejoice in heart and glory in your amazing grace. Amen. (Psalm 64:10)
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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