Joy in Mourning
Pete Briscoe
Morning
Verse
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He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. ” Matthew 10:40
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Reflection
Speaking to His Twelve Apostles, Jesus taught that those who accept them (and their teachings) are really accepting Christ. Why? Because the Apostles were the ones Jesus sent out to represent Him and convey His teachings to the world. Indeed, the word "apostle" actually means "sent one" or "one who is sent." Thus, Jesus points out that their words are really His words—and their teachings are really His teachings!
In an era when people comfortably discount what the Bible says, some 2,000 years ago, Jesus reminded us that to be dismissive of biblical teaches is to be dismissive of Him… something NO Christian should ever be guilty of. On top of His teaching that those who accept the Apostles accept Him, Jesus added that to accept Him is to accept God—something the Jewish leadership of His day did not believe.
In essence, this verse has two messages. For Christians, it is a reminder that they should not reject His anointed emissaries—as He has given them both His word and His authorization. For those outside of Christianity, the message is don't reject Jesus; for in so doing, you really reject God. Essentially, this verse tells us that Jesus is central to God's plan. Jesus is God's emissary, and the Apostles are Jesus' messengers. The truth radiates to Him from God, and from Him to His Apostles, and from them to us—through His Spirit and through His word, as found in the Holy Scriptures. Will you accept?
Evening
Verse
Sunday, Oct 6
Today's Theme: Faith
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” Jeremiah 29:11
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Intepretation of the Verse
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
