Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
Peter and Paul know who Jesus is. Everything else stems from that. They have that knowledge from revelation. But it becomes increasingly real for them as they come to rely on it in their lives.
"Now I know for certain
that the Lord sent his angel
and rescued me from the hand of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting."
They succeed because they hold to the truth of their faith even when they are tested. That is not to say they don't make mistakes or undergo trials. Even Peter fails occasionally along the way. He famously tries to talk Jesus out of going to the cross. He denies Jesus when he is arrested. But even though they may fail they always turn back again to their faith. If they stumble on the way they still get back up and run the race.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
As they rely on the LORD they learn more and more how reliable he is.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We too have the seed of faith through revelation. It does not stem from flesh and blood but rather from a revelation of our Father in heaven. This revelation is meant to be the rock on which all else is built. It points us toward heaven so that we can run toward it. It is there to catch and support us when we fall. May we too come to experience and trust just how reliable are the promises of our God.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
No comments:
Post a Comment