Hello Advent Family,

Today is Columbus Day.  Christopher Columbus is a fascinating and controversial figure in history.  He often went back and forth between hero and outcast even in his own lifetime.  He died thinking that he had discovered a trade route to the Indies and a faster way to Japan and China.  He is credited with discovering the Americas which he never intended to do nor realized he had done.  He sort of reminds me of the disciples.  They also played an important role without really quite figuring it out.  Let’s look at a passage that illustrates this in Matthew 16.

5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The disciples were often confused and missing the point throughout the gospels.  They faithfully followed Jesus and of course were used in amazing ways to build His church once Jesus ascended to Heaven.  This proclamation by Peter is the first evidence of them sort of getting it.  Even after this Peter has his struggles and still doesn’t get it sometimes but God still uses him in amazing ways.  God wants to use you in amazing ways too.  Even if we don’t see the whole picture like Columbus or Peter didn’t, God wants to use us to do amazing things.  He just asks that we be willing, we abide in Him and we faithfully go where He calls us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave