Blessed!

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'"

Matthew 16:13-17 (ESV)


According to the chapter notes of the Crossway ESV Study Bible, Caesarea Philippi, located some 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, had been a center of the worship of Baal, the Greek god Pan, and eventually Caesar. The name of the city, formerly Paneas, had been changed by Philip the Tetarch to honor himself and Augustus Caesar. Why is this information important? It is in the presence of such idolatry and rebellion that Peter confesses Jesus to be the Messiah. May this serve to remind us that salvation is entirely the work of God. Salvation does not come to us by way of the proper environment. It does not require a particular mood or some heightened sense of spirituality. And while man does have a responsibility toward God, salvation is in no way dependent on man! Christians will often say that evangelism would be easier if only our nation were different, or if our communities were different, or if people were different. God reveals himself according to his will for his glory, not because of favorable circumstances. Keep praying! Keep sharing the Good News! Keep being faithful! Your little corner of the world may seem like a Caesarea Philippi, but remember, "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." It is his work. Rest in his power.

The Great Exchange

"He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
II Corinthians 5:21

Beginning the Journey

"Wir sein Bettler. Hoc est verum." "We are beggars. This is true." These are the last recorded words of Martin Luther. They are words that remind us of the essence of God's grace in Christ and the complete inability of man apart from that grace to be reconciled to Him. It is my prayer that this endeavor honor Jesus and will somehow serve the reader by pointing him/her to the cross as the only and necessary hope. Thank you for joining me on this exciting adventure. I look forward to meeting with other "true beggars" as we love and learn while following Jesus!