Rev. Zachary Mabe is in his 20th year as Pastor of the Terryville Congregational Church.
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 (NIV)
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
Reflection: But Who Do You Say that I Am?
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If someone walked up to you with no prior notice and asked, "Who is Jesus?," how would you answer? Would you say that Jesus is a figure in the Bible? Would you say that Jesus is the Savior to people who are known as Christians and who place their faith in him? Would you give a generic, dictionary-like answer, or would you give a more personal answer? What if the person asked you, "Who is Jesus, to you?" How would you answer?
What if someone asked you, "Tell me about your church. What do you like about your church? What does your church mean to you?" How would you answer?
I think we need to start talking more about our faith and our faith communities. Be ready with an answer! You never know the seeds you will plant if you can articulate what your faith means to you. Perhaps we don't talk too much about it because we don't want to come across as if we are being arrogant or bragging or being pushy. As it was told to me recently: it's not bragging or pushy if we are simply celebrating the goodness of God. Proclaim your faith! Celebrate and tell your story! There are a lot of people who are hurting and who are searching for the good news you will bring them about God and the ways God is working in your life.
Here's my answers, not pre-scripted but just trying to write them from the heart as I type out this devotional:
Jesus – to me – is the person who has transformed my life; son of God, Lord & Savior, Messiah, Prince of Peace, my hope, my all-in-all; the one who calls me to dig deeper and to serve fuller in my faith, and to try my best to brighten my little corner of the world with God's love. Jesus is also the one who reminds me that I have forgiveness; I have the ability to forgive myself and others; I have eternal life; and I am never alone. He fills my soul with purpose and meaning and depth, and I am so very thankful.
My church – to me – is the group of people who share together in this Christian faith journey. I like their love and their passion for serving God. They will drop everything to help someone in their time of need, and that brings me so much hope. I also like how often they gather to worship God, to eat together, and to pray together. They inspire me every day and they fill me with warmth and the reminder that God abides... and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
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PRAYER
Dear God, fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me the words to express my faith and to celebrate the good news of faith in Jesus. Amen.
New Prayer Requests:
We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane at cochranem@sneucc.org.
Prayers of Intercession:
- Prayers for peace as wars and conflicts continue to escalate around the world.
- Injustices and inequalities manifest as racism, discrimination, gender-based violence, economic disparities, and other issues.
- For those grieving or suffering due to the ~11,600 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year, including the most recent school shooting in Georgia.
- For those in crisis and distress.
Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:
- For those honoring the people of history.
- For those who share together in this Christian faith journey.
This Week in History:
September 13, 1993 (31 years ago): Israel-Palestine peace accord signed. After decades of bloody animosity, the “Declaration of Principles” was the first agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians towards ending their conflict and sharing the holy land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea that they both claim as their homeland. [History]
“Study the past if you would define the future.”
— Confucius
