Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 27
“33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.”
Mark 8:33
What Side Are You On?
Have you ever found yourself on the wrong side of an argument, when you knew you had to be right? I know I have. Sometimes we think we know what the right thing to do is only to realize we were wrong all along. None of us are right every time (though some think they are), but we can know what it takes to be right. This idea of thinking we know what’s right is really intensified in election years. It’s pretty obvious this year that all the Presidential candidates think they’re right. However, we must remember, there is only one truth, and they can’t all be telling it. But, how do we discern what’s right? Read on and I’ll tell you.
I often wonder if, before he met Jesus, Peter was one of those persons who thought he was always right. You know, sort of a Donald Trump personality. I don’t mean any offence if Trump’s your guy in this election, but I have noticed throughout his career that he’s brash guy who often speaks before he thinks. Scripture shows Peter as one with a brash, outspoken personality. He often spoke before he thought things through; that is until he met the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. In today’s gospel, Peter even thinks he knows better than Jesus. Ouch, that’s pretty bold. But, before we’re too hard on Peter, we often do the same thing, don’t we?
Life’s Ultimate Resource Tool
The only way to really know the right thing to do in life is to be led by the Holy Spirit. King David said in the Psalms, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105). No matter what decisions we face in life, there is no better guide than the Bible; it is the ultimate topical resource tool; I challenge you to think of a topic or problem it doesn’t deal with in some way.
One of the things I love about Lent is spending more time in the study and devotion of God’s word. Often, Lent becomes a time of testing for me personally, on things that are of great importance to me. I dedicate my fasting, prayer and study to finding God’s truth for areas of concern in my life. Of course, we can and should do such things all year, not just in Lent, but I’m glad the church devotes a season to encouraging us to be intentional in such things.
As the season leading us to Easter, Lent is the perfect time for challenging ourselves to be sure we’re on the right side of things in our life. After all it is the power of Christ’s resurrection that empowers us to overcome all things.
How about you? Are you on the wrong side of something right now? Do you need power to discern right from wrong, to make the right decision, no matter how hard? Then, let the words of St. Paul in the Philippian letter be your prayer today, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Phil. 3:10) When we die to Jesus, all things become possible. His divine, resurrecting power is the power that raises us from the ashes.
Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,
Pastor Brad
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6
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