Matthew 16:15-16

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Watching Jesus up-close, they are in the ideal position to assess Jesus’ genuineness, his lucid words, and his restorative power.

 

Matthew 16:14

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

John the Baptist, without question, had been the most exciting development in Israel’s public life for a long time. He had all the marks of a prophet. Indeed, he had all the marks of looking like Elijah, who is also on the list!

Matthew 16:13

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

From Background Notes [BN] for the 28th & 1st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

At one level, Jesus is checking the opinion polls to discover public perceptions of his person and his work. He does this, not because...

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Note the key terms: “penetrates … dividing soul and spirit … judges … nothing hidden … everything uncovered … laid bare before His eyes.”

Psalm 139:19-20

If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

 

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

Such persons are without question viewed as evil, being unquestionably guilty of crimes against God and others.

 

Matthew 12:20-21

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

We are “smoldering wicks,” and Lent knows this. The Lenten Jesus proclaims the justice of God, and that means God’s determination to make the world right again — a world that we know is terribly wrong.

 

Matthew 13:44

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 21st & 22nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The liturgical calendar is not a piece of legalistic structure which binds us against our wills to follow a certain path through time. Instead, celebrating the great feasts...

Luke 9:35

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 14th & 15th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

So it is with the people of God in our time. We stand on Jordan’s stormy banks as well, but we face westward toward the land of promise. We stand with Peter and James and John in the high place with the one who sits at God’s right hand.

Luke 9:34

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 14th & 15th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Suddenly, a cloud appears around this glory moment, and the disciples saw the form of a very old object in Jewish history: the glory pillar of cloud and fire seen in the days of Moses.

Luke 9:28-29

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

From Background Notes [BN] for Feb 14th & 15th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The biblical text translates this experience by saying he was “transfigured before them.” The Greek word used here is metamorphoomai, a term simply meaning “to transform.”

 

Psalm 33:4-5

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Psalm 18:1-2

[ For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: ]

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 59:16 NIV

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.