Scripture: Matthew 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Thought for the Day: As we read the story of Jesus in the Gospels, this is the first use of the word ‘church’. Now scholars believe it was not a word used by Jesus, but had become a part of the community’s vocabulary twenty years or so after Jesus. In time, the Gospel writers put the common language of the day into the mouth of Jesus as they retold his story. How do we use our modern language in the retelling of the story? Well to begin with, we use English. More importantly, telling the story of Jesus requires new language with every generation. Can you think of a time when someone used dated or inaccessible language to talk about faith, and his/her audience had no idea what was being said? Who are the people with whom you might share the Jesus story? What language will bring that story to life?
Prayer: O God, provide me the words that will bring to life the Word for today’s generation. Amen.
TOMORROW — SUNDAY
