Day 22, January 22, 2021
Scriptures: Genesis 39-40, Matthew 16 Interpreting the signs and the times It is curious to me how there has been some fun connections, helpful connections throughout our reading so far. Perhaps it is a lot like when you buy a new car. You never noticed before, but suddenly, everyone has a similar vehicle as you. You thought you were original, but you are not! I say that as a precaution that not everything we look at will be what the NT writer had intended for us to hear and understand. But where the connection is, let us be prayerful that the Holy Spirit would lead us properly. I pray we see the goodness and glory of God, in Jesus, all the more clearly as we walk with Him and study His Word. I enjoyed today’s reading, as I humorously thought about the baker’s request for Joseph to interpret his dream. What a let down! I know its wrong to laugh, but I picture the guy thinking, “hey, the cupbearer got a good interpretation, how about me?” Joseph, “Yeah, Pharaoh is going to have you impaled.” Yikes! Jumping ahead to Jesus, in Matthew 16, we see Jesus is asked to show a sign from heaven. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and says of them, “You can interpret the skies, but you can't figure out what’s happening right under your nose.” (My paraphrase) The rest of the chapter, Jesus interprets what has happened and what will happen. He is preparing them to understand that the resurrection is coming, but it is all a part of God’s plans and this new age of the kingdom that is upon them. Jesus is explaining to them about the kingdom and bringing to light His Lordship. Jesus turns the table, and he asks them to share who it is that people believe him to be. A question, of sorts, about how the general public is doing at interpreting the times. They are close, but not getting it. Peter, he interprets who Jesus is, correctly, and it is said by Jesus, “God has revealed this to you.” Peter becomes an interpreter of truth, just like Joseph had the dreams revealed to Him. The dream of the Messiah who would come and rescue the world, well Peter gets it. He tells us how to see Jesus clearly. And the church would be built on this certain truth; Jesus is the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. We are invited at the end of the chapter, to carry our cross and follow Christ. Joseph would suffer for doing what was right. We can anticipate that we are in a similar situation. It is not easy to declare Jesus as Lord. But we can know, that despite great difficulty, Christ will be with us, and we will have life in. His kingdom. Take up your cross today! Jordan
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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