Daily Readings - Fri Sep 27 2019
Haggai
1In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,2Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,3Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:5According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.6For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;7And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.9The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Luke
18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
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.