Daily Readings - Fri Sep 27 2019
Haggai
1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,2"Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say,3'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,5according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.6For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.7And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.9The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'"
Luke
18Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"19And they answered, "John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen."20Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."21And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,22saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter themes of hope and recognition, guiding us to trust in God's plan and embrace our faith in Jesus Christ.
First, in Haggai, the prophet addresses the post-exilic community, who, despite their efforts to rebuild the Temple, feel discouraged by its humble state compared to the past. Haggai reassures them with a message of hope: God is present, and the future glory of the Temple will surpass its former splendor. This promise is fulfilled in the Messiah, who brings peace and fills the Temple with His presence.
In Luke, Jesus asks His disciples to recognize His true identity. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ of God," marks a pivotal moment in their understanding of Jesus' mission. However, this recognition comes with the revelation of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus' journey to the cross underscores the necessity of enduring trials for the redemption of humanity.
These readings connect through their emphasis on hope and recognition. Haggai's message of future glory aligns with the ultimate glory revealed in Jesus' resurrection. Peter's confession highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, which strengthens our commitment to His mission. In our daily lives, when faced with challenges, we can draw strength from these teachings. Trusting in God's plan, even amidst struggles, leads us to the hope of redemption and the promise of eternal life. Recognizing Jesus as our Savior, we embrace both the challenges and the promises of His mission, knowing that through faith and commitment, we find true purpose and peace.