Corona Devo 2056


Like one sunflower in the middle of a complete field of other flowers, I read a Bible verse...(a section of a Bible verse) that JUMPED OFF OF THE PAGE for me today.

The entire chapter (II Peter 1) is filled with excellent Scripture. Peter is telling his listeners then (and us today) that he was present and that he witnessed Jesus' life and God's blessing over Jesus while Jesus carried out His earthly ministry. (Wow!)

And Peter goes on to say that because they saw Christ, and experienced His validity...then we should look back to what the prophets said (before Christ)...about Christ, and about His coming. (Wow!)

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. ~I Peter 1:19

For those of us who would rather press "fast-forward" through the Old Testament of the Bible...not so fast. Peter is directing us back there...but why?

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place... ~I Peter 1:19

The prophets of the Old Testament spoke into the darkness of their day...but Peter speaks the Word of God into our ears and hearts today, reminding us that the prophets of the Old Testament spoke into the darkness of our today too. Wow.

Can we admit that we face dark places today? Will we admit the dark places?

The dying. The hurting. The sick. The depressed. The frantic. The broken. The hopeless. The trapped. The disillusioned. The wicked...

You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. ~I Peter 1:19

I'm sorry..What?

Everything that Peter says here is interesting, but then he says, "until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts" (I Peter 1:19).

Wow.

It's a beautifully gripping and unexplained clause in Peter's sentence. It's a wild interjection into his discourse.

It's beautiful, and unknown, and...wow.

....until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. ~I Peter 1:19

There's a capital "D" in the word, "Day".

Is Peter referencing the day that Jesus comes back? He must be. What other day deserves a capitalized "D"?

Wow.

~~~

Christ the Morning Star...

These...these are the four words that halted my Scripture-reading feet in their tracks.

We may be familiar with some of the "titles" of Jesus. Aware, familiar and even comfortable with them:

  • For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ~Isaiah 9:6
  • The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”  ~John 4:25
  • The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  ~John 1:29
  • “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me"...  ~John 10:14
These titles for Jesus we may know...we may have become accustomed to.  We may respect these titles, but they have grown comfortable to us.  

But have we read of...can we not be affected by the hearing of..."Christ the Morning Star" (I Peter 1:19).

Wow.

This title, this honor, this announcement of Jesus is important. It does not fit here where it is placed. This title wraps a cloak of supernatural and divine...and dazzling--around the shoulders of our Savior...just in case we had forgotten who He is.

Christ the Morning Star...


It's a (positive) shocking reference to Jesus, if that's possible Even in this hope-filled, teaching-moment from Peter...this title for Jesus shocks us and stands out among the other ideas being shared.

But it is not the last time that we shall hear of this powerful symbolic title of Christ spoken, and the next time it will come to us from the lips of Christ himself:

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.   I am the bright morning star.”  Revelation 22:16

Wow.

The Morning Star rises first.  Is bright.  Guides us.  Is a reference point.  
And...is coming.  

The prophets point us back to the Old Testament, and do we remember what the prophets did and said?

They called out (literally and figuratively) to the people, telling them to repent and to seek the Lord, and to place their trust and worship in God, and not in idols and distractions...and sin.  Over and over, the prophets warned and announced for people to get right with God.

Why?

Because the Day is coming.  The Day will dawn, and we are closer to it now than they were in the days of the prophets.  The Day will dawn, and if we know Him, Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts (I Peter 1:19).

Do we know Him? Then pay close attention.


You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. ~I Peter 1:19
 



Blessings,  

sarah  

ttps://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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