Thought for the Week – 29th May 2016 – Dennis Pethers

This week and next I am staying with this passage in Matthew.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “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.” 

Matthew 16:13-16

In the question that Jesus asked His disciples He was clearly interested in knowing who His followers thought He was.  Finding out what people already believe is a key part of the conversation that will enable us to begin to share ‘who Jesus is’!

Another favourite place for me to have conversations about Jesus is in a restaurant.  Most places where I eat the person serving will ask ‘how are you today?’.  My ‘answer’ always includes a question: ‘I am fine, how about you, how are you doing?’  On some occasions I receive the anticipated ‘fine thanks’ but I never cease to be amazed by the number of servers who immediately begin to talk about things that are going on in their lives.  Things like:  Family problems, often including serious illness affecting a family member or challenges with their children, struggles with study and work being too much for them, financial concerns, concerns about how the world seems to be getting so dangerous etc etc.  As the conversation continues I ask a  ‘question’ that includes a statement that goes something like ‘I am a Christian and I believe that God can be with you in the midst of these things – do you believe in God and would you be ok if I included you in my prayers?’.   I receive varied responses to the ‘believe in God’ question but I have never had a ‘no’ to the ‘can I include you in my prayers’.  Frequently this leads to more conversation, often interrupted because there are other people who need to be served, where the server talks openly about what they believe and I am able to answer their question when they ask what I believe’, I can talk openly about Jesus.

Are you planning to eat out this week?