04 Aug Matt 16:13-16 (“Who do you say that I am?”) by Pastor Don Bird
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Pastor Don’s Reflections: Karl Barth, a famous theologian, was on a streetcar one day in Basel, Switzerland, where he lectured. A tourist to the city climbed on and sat down next to Barth. The two men started chatting with each other. “Are you new to the city?” Barth inquired. “Yes,” said the tourist. “Is there anything you would particularly like to see in this city?” asked Barth. “Yes,” he said, “I’d love to meet the famous theologian Karl Barth. Do you know him?” Barth replied, “Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I give him a shave every morning.” The tourist got off the streetcar quite delighted. He went back to his hotel saying to himself, “I met Karl Barth’s barber today.” That tourist missed the point! I have often said that the way we live our lives communicates to the world our answer to this question, “Who do you say Jesus is?” I know there have been many occasions when I have missed the point. Where I have communicated a judgemental, pious, self-serving Jesus. Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”, is a question we live daily when we commit ourselves to following Christ. When I live my life for Christ, He lives through me. Through me, He is able to shine His true light. What would our answer be to the world if we gave aid to the helpless, a smile to the stranger, grace to the rebellious, peace to the tormented, forgiveness to the sinner, and love to the unlovable? How do our lives communicate the true nature of Jesus Christ?
* Pastor Don Bird is the Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Canon City, CO. He is married to Mandy, and they have two children. Visit his weekly blog at www.ccumc-donbird.blogspot.com.
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Through Christ our Lord,
Pastor Don
Eph 3:20
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.