Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Today’s text

Matthew 16:13-16

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Phillipi he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?' Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.

Prayer

I see the warmth in you your smile, Jesus, as Peter replies. The love I witness melts ice … and hearts, mine at least.

But yours, too. You are pleased. His answer warms you through. You love him for the wonder that is in his heart, true knowledge of you.

But what does he know, and does he really understand you? No, I suppose not. Who can?

You are the revelation of God’s own heart, and who can plumb the dazzling darkness of those depths?

Yet in knowing you as the Messiah, the Christ, the walking presence of the Loving Mystery of God, our search is done.

We are born on fire, hungry, wanting, needing … more. But what this more is or can be is a mystery to us. Fashioned in the image of God, your image, Holy One, we feel restlessness in our bones for something more to still the ache within. Nothing but you can satisfy.

And seeing Jesus, knowing him, we meet the reality for which we ache, the more we need, the food that begins to satisfy the in-born hunger you put in us.

Our search is done. This is the One for whom we are made, for whom we were intended. Yet, our search only begins here. For what does it mean to know you Jesus? Just who are you? What does it mean to live close to you?

This searching goes on for as long as we draw breath, Jesus. For you are the height and depth, the length and breadth of the Love for whom no name will do.

So let us live into greater knowledge of you, and in our quest to know your heart, teach us who we are and how we are to live for you.

Pr. David L. Miller