Peter answers Jesus correctly.
This interaction clearly shows Jesus claiming to be the Messiah.
Jesus is the foundation of the Church.
Peter wasn’t always the sharpest, but God revealed this truth to him and he embraced it fully.
Always recognize exactly who Jesus is and let that truth propel you to action.
The church is built on Jesus, not Peter. The wordplay here is excellent…so don’t miss it.
Lord Jesus, you are the Rock, and in you there is no shifting.
Jesus is questioned by religious leaders and he warned his disciples about their warped teachings.
Jesus all out said the religious leaders of the day were way off track in their teaching. This was a strong indictment.
God is looking for faith in Jesus.
The theology of these religious leaders was not totally wrong. But how they applied their knowledge of God to their lives was terribly broken.
Obey! Theological knowledge might make a scholar but it takes adding obedience to make a disciple.
Faith being built is a supernatural thing that occupies a space between knowledge of God and action.
Father, your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth (and in my heart), as it is in Heaven.
Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their families by multiplying 7 rolls and a few small fish.
By this day Jesus had already fed thousands in a similar manner. No wonder word of him spread.
God delights in using the tiny and insignificant to accomplish his enormous and important work.
Even though Jesus’ disciples have seen this scenario before their faith is small.
Rest in the fact that God’s work is God’s work. You may be included, but its God’s power and resources, not yours, that makes the difference.
God enjoys displaying his ability to do what men would call impossible. This is one way mankind’s finite minds can get a glimpse of him.
God of the impossible, I believe you can do anything…and will.
Jesus has mercy and heals many. A common denominator in these accounts are that the people on the receiving end giving “glory to God”.
The mercy of Jesus across racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and social divides was very different from any leader of the day. It’s delightfully shocking.
God is no respecter or external wrappers: race, ethnicity, gender, & the like. After all, God hold the patients to all of those.
People totally get hung up and consumed with external differences.
View people as Jesus does.
Jesus breaking down all the barriers is a great point of conversation.
Father, your boundaries are my boundaries.
The Pharisees focus on the outward traditions of men, but Jesus focuses on the heart.
No doubt, many faithful Jews were burdened by the additions and regulations of the Pharisees.
God values the condition and attitude of the heart.
Religious people are in danger of their piety becoming the end goal- not knowing and delighting in God.
Pay attention to your focus. Guard your heart!
Religion < relationship with God.
Father, what is important to you should be important to me. When I get this wrong please set me straight.
Great faith is shown and Jesus heals many.
Word about Jesus spread quickly, and for good reason.
God rewards rightfully placed faith.
There are faithful believers all over willing to bring the hurting to Jesus.
Place every shred of faith in Jesus.
Verse 36 is of interest- even those touching the edge of Jesus’ robe were healed. They really believed Jesus could and he did.
Jesus, put in me what I need to pursue you and help others along the way.
Jesus and Peter walk on water.
This is an amazing story of miracles and faith.
Jesus is all powerful. His word/command/authority is all that is need to join him in what he is doing.
Faith in the right person (Jesus) is an amazing wonder.
Obey Jesus and count on him fully.
Peter gets a bad rap- but the other 11 disciples stayed in the boat.
Jesus, truly you are the Son of God.
Jesus heals the sick, gathers a large following, and miraculously feed them all from one sack lunch.
No doubt the story of this miracle outpaced the written account.
God can multiply anything.
Most of this number may not have realized Jesus was doing miraculous works to feed them, still they were fed.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He’s always working out more than is obvious.
Miracles like this (hard to fake, many eyewitnesses) are faith building.
Lord Jesus, you are able. Always.
Rumors circulate that Jesus is the resurrected John the Baptist, who had recently been brutally put to death by order of Herod.
People had likely heard about what happened to the regional hero John the Baptist.
John’s suffering moved Jesus.
John’s gory death is a reminder of how depraved people can be.
Grieving is part of the human experience.
This passage points to Jesus’ humanity.
Lord, help me be faithful until the end of the road no matter what.
Jesus unpacks big truths. Some accepted them but his hometown did not.
The hometown crowd is tough because one’s entire family is on display.
Jesus’ wisdom is limitless.
It is mind boggling to think people could know Jesus so well, yet still be filled with unbelief. It happens everyday.
Take Jesus’ truths to heart.
This passage reminds us that Jesus was not the kind of Messiah people were expecting.
Jesus, you are the Son of the Living God. My life is yours.
