God’s Word of Life
Introduction
Luke 9:18-27: Jesus questions his disciples about his identity, and Peter declares him to be the Messiah. Jesus speaks to the disciples for the first time about his forthcoming suffering and death and teaches them about discipleship and what being his follower entails.
Scripture Reading
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
(Matthew 16.13-19; Mark 8.27-29)
18One day when Jesus was praying alone, the disciples came to him. “Who do the crowds say I am?” he asked them.
19 “Some say that you are John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20 “What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are God’s Messiah.”
Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death
(Matthew 16.20-28; Mark 8.30—9.1)
21Then Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. 22He also told them, “The Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. He will be put to death, but three days later he will be raised to life.”
23 And he said to them all, “If you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow me. 24 For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. 25Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but are yourself lost or defeated? Of course not! 26If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God.”
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 9:20b
Peter answered, “You are God’s Messiah.”
Reflect
The word “Messiah” comes from a Hebrew word that means “the chosen one” or “anointed one.” The Greek word for Messiah is “Christos” (Christ). When Peter called Jesus the Messiah, he was declaring that Jesus was God’s chosen one. How would you answer Jesus’s question, “Who do you say I am?” Reread verses 23-27. What do you think is involved in becoming a disciple of Jesus?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I boldly confess that you are the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, the promised Savior who has come into the world. You suffered and died on a cross for my sake but rose again so that I might have eternal life and dwell with you in glory. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 9:28-45: Three disciples witness Jesus’s Transfiguration, and Jesus heals a boy with an evil spirit.