In my life I have spoken with many people about Christianity. I have spoken with highly educated atheists, I have spent many hours speaking to bright Chinese college students, I have spent considerable time with men and women in the hospital, men and women who are concerned, rightly, in most cases, about their impending death. And most of them have asked me, in one form or another, a very important question. They have asked me to explain who Jesus is.
Sometimes this was the wording of the question. Other times, it was worded more as “How can Jesus help me?” Sometimes it was worded and said antagonistically, as in “Do you really believe all that about Jesus?” And so, I’ve had to answer these questions, which are really a single question – Who is Jesus?
This week we have two readings, Matthew 16:13-20, and Romans 12:1-8,which ask us to answer two important questions. Who is Jesus – and the second question which very few people ask about themselves: Who are you? We’ll come back to that one later.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus and the disciples had come back from Tyre and Sidon to minister around the Lake of Galilee. Once again, the people had followed Jesus to a remote place, and once again had to be fed. This time, four thousand people were fed from seven loaves, once again with many leftovers. Once again, they got in the boat and sailed around the lake, this time leaving the lake at the northernmost point where they walked up the northern Jordan River toward Mt Hermon to a small town known as Caesarea Philippi at the foot of the mountain.
Here, Jesus asked the disciples for the gossip on the streets. “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” once again referring to Himself by the a term given in Ezekiel and Daniel for addressing the prophet or a future Messiah.
The disciples responded. “Some say You are John the Baptist come back to life. Others say you are Elijah the great prophet, others say you are Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Today, we have people in our world today who believe that Jesus is a myth, never existing, an idea who was invented by writers long ago. We have people who say that Jesus was a wise man, a teacher, a philosopher, who had some good ideas, but those ideas have not kept up with the times. Besides, he’s now dead. We have people who say that Jesus is a symbol of peace, of goodness, of hope much like Santa Claus. We have other people who say Jesus was developed into a sort of behavior carrot, while Hell is the stick, a way of keeping ignorant people in line so they’ll behave like the wealthy people want them to behave.
There is one thing about all these people who hold to these versions of Jesus. They have not read much of the New Testament.
Jesus pursued His questioning of His disciples. “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” He asked, and you can just see the disciples looking, one to another, like children who have been asked the answer to a difficult math problem, or perhaps “who was the second President of the United States?” And so they looked to each other and finally, Simon Peter, their boat’s captain answered. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
What did His answer mean?
The Messiah
In a careful reading of the prophets of the Old Testament, beginning with Isaiah (but there are mentions even in Exodus), there are mentions of a man who would come in the future to rescue Israel, to save Israel from her enemies, to do miraculous deeds, and to restore the House of David, the great dynasty of ancient Israel, to the leadership of the kingdom. This man had become known as the Messiah, which means “the anointed one”. The ancient kings of Israel were designated as kings when someone anointed them with oil, when someone poured oil on their head. Messiah means “the anointed one”. In Greek, this word was translated as “the Christ”. The word we use comes from the Latin translation, which is “Savior”. Peter had declared Jesus to be the promised Savior. But that was not all.
Son of the living God
Peter also declared Jesus to be “the Son of the living God”. In ancient times, the three most important Mediterranean cultures – Greece, Egypt, and Rome – all had from time to time declared that an important god had come to earth and fathered a son. For example, Heracles, more commonly known as Hercules, was said to be a natural son of Zeus, the head of the Greek gods. The Pharaohs of Egypt were considered to be descended from Egyptian gods. Julius Caesar was considered to be a descendant of the Roman goddess Venus. Of course, none of them performed the documented miracles that Jesus performed. And the view given by the New Testament is more comprehensive.
We all mostly know that the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would become pregnant through the action of the Holy Spirit and later she gave birth to Jesus. But what is less clear is what “Son of God” meant in ancient Israel.
In ancient times, a man was identified more by his family than by his individuality. And we see that today – in a small town we point to a man and say, “Well, he’s a Johnson – you know what all those Johnsons are like”, or “He’s a Chambers – you know what those Chambers are like” and it might be positive or it might be negative, but in a small village everyone knows what you mean, because everyone knows the Johnsons, they are all honest but quiet mechanics, and everyone knows the Chambers, they are all talkative carpenters. It’s more important that they are Johnsons and Chambers than that they are Harry or Bill or David. If you need an honest but quiet mechanic, you find a Johnson. If you need a talkative carpenter, you find a Chambers. For they are part of the family and the family is what you need, not an individual. It’s only in the last couple of centuries that we’ve focused more on the individual than on the family.
And so, when Peter identified Jesus as the “Son of God”, he was recognizing that Jesus was more than a Son of God in our modern sense, but that Jesus was that part of God which was walking on the earth. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, verse 30, Jesus identifies Himself with the phrase “I and the Father are One.” This is exactly what Peter is doing, identifying Jesus as God on the earth when Peter says Jesus is the Son of the living God. He has the same divine nature as the Father – the fact that Jesus has flesh on Him is less important than His divine nature.
Simon Peter answered. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
He had declared Jesus to be the man long promised in Scripture – and Peter had declared Jesus to be God walking on the earth. And Jesus quickly responded:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in heaven.”
Jesus excitedly agreed with Peter by telling Peter and the other disciples that Peter had been given this idea by God the Father directly, and the implication was therefore that it must be true. Jesus agreed that He was the Messiah and God walking on the earth. But Peter also identified Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed Man, the One who would be king. So was Jesus the promised Savior-man, the Messiah? Or was Jesus God?
The early church fathers, those wise men who became heads of the church in the major cities of the Roman Empire as Christianity began to spread, spent much time wrestling with this question of exactly who Jesus was. And after much debate, they finally came to a conclusion which can be difficult to understand, frustrating, and yet explains things better than any other explanation.
Plus, He was completely filled with the nature of God. He was 100% God in nature.
And because of this dual nature, when Jesus died on the cross, He was a human being, our anointed king dying in self-sacrifice for all the sins that human beings had ever committed. His sacrifice was not a sham, He was a man who gave up life for us.
And yet – because He was also God in the flesh, He was infinitely valuable as a sacrifice, more valuable than any human could be. He had all the powers available to Him of God – yet He chose to die, condemned to death because He had claimed to be God on the earth – and the people around Him knew that He was making that claim – and so He was killed.
And then, His god-nature raised His human nature and the Christ arose from the dead, our Savior came back alive, the sacrifice was made and death was defeated by the God-man, Jesus the Christ and our sins were paid for. Completely.
This is who Jesus the Christ is. Christ is not his last name. It is His title. Jesus the Savior. Jesus the Messiah. Jesus the Christ. God walking on the earth, our creator, our Lord, the One to whom we all owe 100% allegiance. And this is why we who follow Him bow before Him, as the only person who is worthy to be followed. Completely. Beyond death.
And this begs the second question. Who are we? Who am I? Who are you?
Paul begins this section with “therefore”. So let’s see what Paul had written just before. We see that Paul is praising God at the end of Romans Chapter Eleven. Say it out loud!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Therefore…[Paul continues] I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
Paul is telling us that since God is so far above us and has been so merciful to us, our proper response and worship is to serve God. That is what Paul means by “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”.
We all mostly know that the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would become pregnant through the action of the Holy Spirit and later she gave birth to Jesus. But what is less clear is what “Son of God” meant in ancient Israel.
The Family is Important
Let me give you an analogy. We are here today at – or watching – a service at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. We recognize that Cedar Grove is not truly independent – we are part of the greater body known as The United Methodist Church, just as our local Burger King is part of the great restaurant chain known as Burger King. And we understand that to be a Burger King restaurant means to have certain characteristics that come from the Burger King corporation, just as being a United Methodist Church means that Cedar Grove has certain characteristics of the worldwide United Methodist Church. In many ways, the Burger King family identification and the United Methodist family identification is more important than the individual characteristics of our local restaurant, or of Cedar Grove United Methodist. The family identifies us more than our individuality does.In ancient times, a man was identified more by his family than by his individuality. And we see that today – in a small town we point to a man and say, “Well, he’s a Johnson – you know what all those Johnsons are like”, or “He’s a Chambers – you know what those Chambers are like” and it might be positive or it might be negative, but in a small village everyone knows what you mean, because everyone knows the Johnsons, they are all honest but quiet mechanics, and everyone knows the Chambers, they are all talkative carpenters. It’s more important that they are Johnsons and Chambers than that they are Harry or Bill or David. If you need an honest but quiet mechanic, you find a Johnson. If you need a talkative carpenter, you find a Chambers. For they are part of the family and the family is what you need, not an individual. It’s only in the last couple of centuries that we’ve focused more on the individual than on the family.
And so, when Peter identified Jesus as the “Son of God”, he was recognizing that Jesus was more than a Son of God in our modern sense, but that Jesus was that part of God which was walking on the earth. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, verse 30, Jesus identifies Himself with the phrase “I and the Father are One.” This is exactly what Peter is doing, identifying Jesus as God on the earth when Peter says Jesus is the Son of the living God. He has the same divine nature as the Father – the fact that Jesus has flesh on Him is less important than His divine nature.
Simon Peter answered. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
He had declared Jesus to be the man long promised in Scripture – and Peter had declared Jesus to be God walking on the earth. And Jesus quickly responded:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in heaven.”
Jesus excitedly agreed with Peter by telling Peter and the other disciples that Peter had been given this idea by God the Father directly, and the implication was therefore that it must be true. Jesus agreed that He was the Messiah and God walking on the earth. But Peter also identified Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed Man, the One who would be king. So was Jesus the promised Savior-man, the Messiah? Or was Jesus God?
The early church fathers, those wise men who became heads of the church in the major cities of the Roman Empire as Christianity began to spread, spent much time wrestling with this question of exactly who Jesus was. And after much debate, they finally came to a conclusion which can be difficult to understand, frustrating, and yet explains things better than any other explanation.
The Dual Nature
Jesus is both 100% man and 100% God on earth. He has a complete human nature, has a real human body which could bleed and be hurt. He ate, he slept, he cried real tears when His friend Lazarus was dead, He was fully human, 100% human in nature.Plus, He was completely filled with the nature of God. He was 100% God in nature.
And because of this dual nature, when Jesus died on the cross, He was a human being, our anointed king dying in self-sacrifice for all the sins that human beings had ever committed. His sacrifice was not a sham, He was a man who gave up life for us.
And yet – because He was also God in the flesh, He was infinitely valuable as a sacrifice, more valuable than any human could be. He had all the powers available to Him of God – yet He chose to die, condemned to death because He had claimed to be God on the earth – and the people around Him knew that He was making that claim – and so He was killed.
And then, His god-nature raised His human nature and the Christ arose from the dead, our Savior came back alive, the sacrifice was made and death was defeated by the God-man, Jesus the Christ and our sins were paid for. Completely.
This is who Jesus the Christ is. Christ is not his last name. It is His title. Jesus the Savior. Jesus the Messiah. Jesus the Christ. God walking on the earth, our creator, our Lord, the One to whom we all owe 100% allegiance. And this is why we who follow Him bow before Him, as the only person who is worthy to be followed. Completely. Beyond death.
And this begs the second question. Who are we? Who am I? Who are you?
The Second Question - Who am I?
Paul wrote this letter to the church at Rome, a church which even at this time boasted at least three house churches, as well as over 30 named people who were receiving the letter. See the last chapter for details on who this was sent to.Paul begins this section with “therefore”. So let’s see what Paul had written just before. We see that Paul is praising God at the end of Romans Chapter Eleven. Say it out loud!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Therefore…[Paul continues] I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
Paul is telling us that since God is so far above us and has been so merciful to us, our proper response and worship is to serve God. That is what Paul means by “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”.
Renew your Mind
Furthermore, Paul tells us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that we will be able to test and approve” – understand – “what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
It is so easy to fall into the "pattern of this world", politicizing everything, arguing, being fearful of the future. But a daily dose of Scripture allows us to look at things differently, with our minds renewed. And this is how we find God's will for our lives - and with that comes peace.
You know, I was reading Science News this week online, and there was actually a study done a few years ago, published just recently. It shows that people who read the Psalms daily can handle stress better than people who don’t read the Psalms. They observed groups of women, some of whom fled fighting near Lebanon in Israel, and others who stayed put near the fighting. They were divided into Psalm readers who read a Psalm a day and those who did not read. While it didn’t make much difference among the women who fled the fighting, among the women who stayed put near the fighting, those who read the Psalms had a 50 percent lower anxiety score than those who did not read. The conclusion of these psychologists is that Psalm reading helps when things seem out of control. Psalm reading will lower your anxiety levels.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” Read Scripture daily to renew your mind and keep it out of the pattern of this world.
Paul then goes into a section which bears on our question of “who are we?”
It is so easy to fall into the "pattern of this world", politicizing everything, arguing, being fearful of the future. But a daily dose of Scripture allows us to look at things differently, with our minds renewed. And this is how we find God's will for our lives - and with that comes peace.
You know, I was reading Science News this week online, and there was actually a study done a few years ago, published just recently. It shows that people who read the Psalms daily can handle stress better than people who don’t read the Psalms. They observed groups of women, some of whom fled fighting near Lebanon in Israel, and others who stayed put near the fighting. They were divided into Psalm readers who read a Psalm a day and those who did not read. While it didn’t make much difference among the women who fled the fighting, among the women who stayed put near the fighting, those who read the Psalms had a 50 percent lower anxiety score than those who did not read. The conclusion of these psychologists is that Psalm reading helps when things seem out of control. Psalm reading will lower your anxiety levels.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” Read Scripture daily to renew your mind and keep it out of the pattern of this world.
Paul then goes into a section which bears on our question of “who are we?”
Self-Evaluation
Paul tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but rather to think of ourselves with “sober judgement”, in accordance with the faith God has given each of us. We are to look at ourselves and make a sober, honest judgement of ourselves, what we do well and what we don’t do well. What we know, what we don’t know. How well we are following God’s will and where we need to improve. What gifts God has given us.
Notice that Paul doesn’t tell us to be harsh on ourselves, but to exercise “sober judgement”, which, in itself, is a difficult thing to learn, but it is a key to understanding who we are.
Notice that Paul isn’t asking us to compare ourselves to others, but we may need to in some circumstances. For Paul is using this section to introduce the concept of the body of Christ which we all belong to – but in which we all have different functions.
If you are a giver, give generously. Lean into your gift! If you are an encourager, encourage. If you can make beauty with flowers, than plant flowers. If you are an artist, then paint. If you can listen, call people up and listen well. If you are really good at woodworking, then make crosses. If you enjoy cleaning, then clean. If you are good at cooking, make and deliver meals to shut-ins. If you are good at writing letters, then write letters. If you can handle complicated office tasks, then help us set up Mail-merge documents.
In other words, who are you? What do you do well? What is your way of making your body a living sacrifice? I knew a woman in Clarksburg who owned a flower shop – every church in Clarksburg who wanted them got palm leaves for palm Sunday, free of charge. I knew a man who owned a bakery – we always had great cakes and pepperoni rolls for church events. I knew a man who loved dressing up in costume for church holidays and he was good at it. I knew a woman who was wonderful at writing press releases – we always got good press coverage.
Now, you may say that “I have to stay home.” Or “I’m too old to do much.”
At one church, we had a woman who was past retirement age, had undergone multiple cancer surgeries, had been injured in an accident, and was in a wheel chair and required 24-hour care. But she could talk on the phone, she could post on Facebook, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith that lifted up anyone she talked with. So I could ask her to poll our members or tell everyone something, or check on people and the phone calls went out. Can you make phone calls checking on people and lifting them up? Can you write and mail birthday cards, get well cards, sympathy cards? If so, just start doing it! You have permission! Start calling people, beginning with the name after yours in the directory. If you need a directory, call the office!
Can you talk to people about the love of God, what Christ has done for you in your life? Start calling your neighbors. We have this invention that is 150 years old called a telephone – and Christ, God walking on the earth – wants you to make phone calls to lift people up in this time of COVID-19.
Can you share Facebook posts? Share these sermons and other good postings.
Who are you? What are your gifts?
You know, there are people who fall through the cracks in every community. But I’ve noticed – the people who fall through the cracks have usually been hiding there for years, hiding in the cracks. Reach out of the cracks and call someone, make it your mission to connect with one other person in our church family and cheer them up today or this week. Do this every day or every week and see what happens.
There is another dimension to this question of who you are.
Jesus was making a pun, calling Simon petros – Greek for rock and then talking about the rock upon which he would build his church.
For you see, the foundation of the church, the rock on which it is built, is this understanding that Jesus is the Messiah and that Jesus is God walking upon the earth, for if Jesus is God on the earth, then everything He said is absolutely important for us to understand.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just another teacher.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just an idea.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just a symbol.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He must be given the respect shown to our creator, our king, our LORD.
And so all other ideas, all other valuable things, all other things to spend time on must fade away – for Jesus has told us to spread His story to all people, using our gifts, using our talents, using our time, using our treasure, using our tongues to change the world as Jesus has asked us to. Are you a person who is loyal to Jesus and believes that He is the Son of God? Then do what He asks.
Who are you? What can you do?
If you need ideas, call me or visit me.
For folks, there are people all around us dying every day. Many know Jesus – but many don’t. They will die the real, permanent death, separated from God, never to see heaven, never to see the face of Jesus, never to walk under the tree of life beside the river in New Jerusalem.
Some of you are already working hard on God’s mission. Some of you don’t see where you can make a difference. Some of you still think this applies only to a handful of leaders.
Why? Why don’t you think this applies to you?
Because deep down, you may not really believe that Jesus is the Messiah and God walking on the earth. Deep down you think Jesus is an idea, a myth, a story, a character in a book. Deep down Jesus isn’t real to you.
So try this. Pray after me, one line at a time.
Jesus,
Please become real to me.
Please help me see You as real.
Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit,
That I may know You as a person.
Amen.
Father, I pray for these people in this church and all those watching at home. Fill them with your Holy Spirit, teach them Your ways, help them bring the Gospel into their hearts so that they may do great things by trusting in Your Son Jesus and Your Holy Spirit. Give them the courage to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Remember: Jesus is both man and God, and that dual nature means something to us. It means He is worthy to be followed – and following Him is vital to us, life-giving to us. Discover your gifts through sober judgement and use them to spread Jesus message of hope.
Notice that Paul doesn’t tell us to be harsh on ourselves, but to exercise “sober judgement”, which, in itself, is a difficult thing to learn, but it is a key to understanding who we are.
Notice that Paul isn’t asking us to compare ourselves to others, but we may need to in some circumstances. For Paul is using this section to introduce the concept of the body of Christ which we all belong to – but in which we all have different functions.
Gifts
Paul points out that we all have different gifts. I play the piano and sing well – you may play guitar. You may have the ability to predict the future, if so, then prophesy in accordance with your faith – if you know for sure, tell us, if the future is fuzzy, tell us that also. Don’t prophesy when you have little faith.If you are a giver, give generously. Lean into your gift! If you are an encourager, encourage. If you can make beauty with flowers, than plant flowers. If you are an artist, then paint. If you can listen, call people up and listen well. If you are really good at woodworking, then make crosses. If you enjoy cleaning, then clean. If you are good at cooking, make and deliver meals to shut-ins. If you are good at writing letters, then write letters. If you can handle complicated office tasks, then help us set up Mail-merge documents.
In other words, who are you? What do you do well? What is your way of making your body a living sacrifice? I knew a woman in Clarksburg who owned a flower shop – every church in Clarksburg who wanted them got palm leaves for palm Sunday, free of charge. I knew a man who owned a bakery – we always had great cakes and pepperoni rolls for church events. I knew a man who loved dressing up in costume for church holidays and he was good at it. I knew a woman who was wonderful at writing press releases – we always got good press coverage.
Now, you may say that “I have to stay home.” Or “I’m too old to do much.”
At one church, we had a woman who was past retirement age, had undergone multiple cancer surgeries, had been injured in an accident, and was in a wheel chair and required 24-hour care. But she could talk on the phone, she could post on Facebook, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith that lifted up anyone she talked with. So I could ask her to poll our members or tell everyone something, or check on people and the phone calls went out. Can you make phone calls checking on people and lifting them up? Can you write and mail birthday cards, get well cards, sympathy cards? If so, just start doing it! You have permission! Start calling people, beginning with the name after yours in the directory. If you need a directory, call the office!
Can you talk to people about the love of God, what Christ has done for you in your life? Start calling your neighbors. We have this invention that is 150 years old called a telephone – and Christ, God walking on the earth – wants you to make phone calls to lift people up in this time of COVID-19.
Can you share Facebook posts? Share these sermons and other good postings.
Who are you? What are your gifts?
You know, there are people who fall through the cracks in every community. But I’ve noticed – the people who fall through the cracks have usually been hiding there for years, hiding in the cracks. Reach out of the cracks and call someone, make it your mission to connect with one other person in our church family and cheer them up today or this week. Do this every day or every week and see what happens.
There is another dimension to this question of who you are.
The Foundation of the Church
When Peter answered Jesus and said “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus blessed him, but also said, “I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. “Jesus was making a pun, calling Simon petros – Greek for rock and then talking about the rock upon which he would build his church.
For you see, the foundation of the church, the rock on which it is built, is this understanding that Jesus is the Messiah and that Jesus is God walking upon the earth, for if Jesus is God on the earth, then everything He said is absolutely important for us to understand.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just another teacher.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just an idea.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He is not just a symbol.
If Jesus is God on the earth, He must be given the respect shown to our creator, our king, our LORD.
And so all other ideas, all other valuable things, all other things to spend time on must fade away – for Jesus has told us to spread His story to all people, using our gifts, using our talents, using our time, using our treasure, using our tongues to change the world as Jesus has asked us to. Are you a person who is loyal to Jesus and believes that He is the Son of God? Then do what He asks.
Who are you? What can you do?
If you need ideas, call me or visit me.
For folks, there are people all around us dying every day. Many know Jesus – but many don’t. They will die the real, permanent death, separated from God, never to see heaven, never to see the face of Jesus, never to walk under the tree of life beside the river in New Jerusalem.
Some of you are already working hard on God’s mission. Some of you don’t see where you can make a difference. Some of you still think this applies only to a handful of leaders.
Why? Why don’t you think this applies to you?
Because deep down, you may not really believe that Jesus is the Messiah and God walking on the earth. Deep down you think Jesus is an idea, a myth, a story, a character in a book. Deep down Jesus isn’t real to you.
So try this. Pray after me, one line at a time.
Jesus,
Please become real to me.
Please help me see You as real.
Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit,
That I may know You as a person.
Amen.
Father, I pray for these people in this church and all those watching at home. Fill them with your Holy Spirit, teach them Your ways, help them bring the Gospel into their hearts so that they may do great things by trusting in Your Son Jesus and Your Holy Spirit. Give them the courage to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Remember: Jesus is both man and God, and that dual nature means something to us. It means He is worthy to be followed – and following Him is vital to us, life-giving to us. Discover your gifts through sober judgement and use them to spread Jesus message of hope.
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