THIS Man Is the Son of God

By Mary Vee
Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 9 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The other disciples and I returned with Jesus to the Galilean country. It seemed to me that something had changed in Jesus, I didn't know why, but I sensed sorrow in him.

In our day, the people of Israel suffered under Roman rule. We all longed for a leader. One who would stand up for us and rebel against the Romans. One who had the strength to lead a rebellion and return the land to us.

On many occasions during these past three years, I had thought Jesus was such a man. He was powerful. Learned. A great speaker with words that turned the people's heart to his message. I was not alone.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth which was in the Galilean country. As a youth, he must not have had the qualities found in a rebel, someone who stood up to the guards and rulers. Those who knew him mocked him the most. 

I looked around at the men living in this area of the country. Those who listened at first then turned away from Jesus' message. The ones who said what good could come from Galilee? The ones who said he was only a carpenter, how could he lead a rebellion? 

Like me, they hadn't listened to the heart of his message. Jesus did not come to overpower the Romans. He didn't come to lead a rebellion. He came to show us the way to have everlasting life. I know that now.

And still, I don't think I fully understand the depth of his message.

I soon learned Jesus wanted to return to Galilee to say goodbye. Men walked away from him, grousing about Jesus' unwillingness to fight the Romans. James and John grew angry. They drew close to Jesus. Their faces red. "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them like Elijah did?"

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

Jesus turned suddenly to them. "You don't know what you are saying. The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."

We had so much to learn. I suppose in a way we still thought Jesus had a plan to rid the country of the evil Romans.

Once again, Jesus confirmed he had no intentions of gathering a gang of followers and setting out to conquer the world. His purpose was much greater. One that would last all of eternity.

This man is the Son of God and in every way had demonstrated his mission: to save us.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.