Knowing The Real Essence Of Life

"Today's Devotion" For October 4, 2006

Read: Matthew 16:13-16; Acts 17:17-34

KNOWING THE REAL ESSENCE OF LIFE

"For in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28)

What's the grounding for your life? Now that's a pretty odd question, isn't it? Perhaps we might also ask the question: What is the meaning and purpose of your life? On what do you base, not only your existence, but also your very essence? No doubt these are questions that we've all asked ourselves in one form or another sometime in our lives. These are the types of questions we human beings ask ourselves as we seek to know ourselves better and understand the sum and substance of our lives.

Interestingly enough, Jesus broached that very subject with His disciples as He began His journey to Jerusalem and His eventual crucifixion for the sins of the world. His query, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13) was intended to focus His disciples' thoughts on what they knew and believed about Him and what it meant to have a relationship with Him. Peter gave a magnificent statement of faith - "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16) - yet his and the disciples' subsequent actions made it clear that they didn't really understand what that powerful confession of faith really meant for their lives and their eternity.

Certainly, Jesus had His share of challenges from the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. They didn't seem to care about His mission and purpose. Instead, they believed they had all the spiritual answers necessary for their relationship with God. Jesus was just a nuisance - a really "weird" guy who refused to be overwhelmed by their "authority." St. Paul also experienced much the same thing as he spoke to the scholars/philosophers on Mars' Hill - the Areopagus - and challenged them to know the reality of the resurrection because Jesus had been, in fact, raised by the Father so that all who believe might have new life in Him. Jesus posed His question to Peter in order to lift his sight, and the sight of the rest of the apostles, to what the essence of life in Christ is all about. Paul's words to the philosophers had the same purpose - to both introduce them to God and show them that the real essence of life - its meaning and purpose - is found only in Christ Jesus.

How do you see Jesus? How do you respond to Jesus' question about who He is? Are you open to listening to the truth of God's Word without finding it to be nonsense or ridiculous? As we live in the world around us, it's quite difficult to stand on faith in Jesus. It's quite difficult, as we're faced with the uncertainty of life and the spiritual skepticism of the world around us, to not be tempted to push Jesus aside and stand with the world. Yet, our very essence, the very foundation of our lives is found in a living relationship of faith in Jesus Christ. In Him we "live and move and have our being" for He is the very essence of life itself for all who believe. It's a message we want to share with others, so they, too, can know God's forgiveness, His grace, mercy, and love, and have the sure and confident hope of heaven.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Peter's great confession of faith is followed, throughout the history of Your Church, by the same conviction and confession among Your people. Great men and women of faith have walked this earth, holding the greatest treasure of their lives to be their faith in You. It is only in You that my life has any substance or meaning, for the very essence of life is found only in You and Your gift of salvation from Sin. All too often, even though I know and believe this to be true, I'm tempted to focus on me, on the world, and on all the things which we distract me from You and seek my life's meaning and purpose elsewhere. Forgive me, Lord, and lead me to always focus on You. Let my life be a life of substance because it rests on You. Let my life be the same strong confession that Peter's words are so that others might know You through me. Hear me, O Lord Jesus. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.