25 September 2015 - that which cannot be shaken

For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts.
This is the pact that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt,
And my spirit continues in your midst;
do not fear!

We see the house of the LORD and at times it seems like nothing in our eyes. We remember the former glory it had earlier in the history of our nation. The LORD wants us to know that, however things look, he is still with us. This is his promise to us. He is with us and his spirit continues in our midst. Because of this promise we do not need to fear.

In order to not be slaves to fear we must know the answer to one question. Jesus asks, "But who do you say that I am?" We can't give the answer of the crowds. Jesus is more than John the Baptist or Elijah. Even Herod had heard those answers and it brought him no closer to answering the question of who Jesus is. We need our own answer to this question. We need to be able to respond, "The Christ of God." But we do not just mimic the correct answer of Peter. That is why Jesus forbids the disciples to tell this to anyone. He wants us to answer the question ourselves.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved (cf. Rom. 10:9-10).

Peter's answer won't save us from slavery to fear. Only our answer can do this. We need that salvation. We need to be firm in our faith and have the courage that our convictions make possible.

One moment yet, a little while,
and I will shake the heavens and the earth,
the sea and the dry land.

This shaking is ultimately a good thing. The result will be the LORD's house having greater glory than ever before. But if we don't have the answer to the question right the quake will terrify us.

Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain (cf. Heb. 12:26-27).

If we're concerned about the things that remain we won't worry about shaking and removal of temporary things.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." (cf. Heb. 12:28-29).

This is why Jesus makes sure the disciples have the right answer before he starts talking about the cross. The cross is the ultimate earthquake that removes the temporary and reveals that which lasts (cf. Mat. 27:54). It is the earthquake that opens the doors to earthly prisons of fear (cf. Act. 16:26) and sets us free.

Let us learn to hope in God in the face of these temporary earthquakes no matter how the house of the LORD appears in our world today. If we hope in him as savior and God we will have cause to praise him.

Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!