Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O Father, teach me to fully understand who your Son is and to follow him without reservation, no matter what the personal cost may be. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus and his followers went to the towns in the area of Caesarea Philippi. While they were traveling, Jesus asked the followers, "Who do people say I am?" The followers answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Other people say you are Elijah. And other people say that you are one of the prophets." Then Jesus asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Jesus told the followers, "Don't tell any person who I am." Then Jesus began to teach his followers that the Son of Man must suffer many things. Jesus taught that the Son of Man would not be accepted by the older Jewish leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law. Jesus taught that the Son of Man must be killed and then rise from death after three days. Jesus told them everything that would happen. He did not keep anything secret. Peter spoke to Jesus alone. Peter criticized Jesus for saying {those things}. But Jesus turned and looked at his followers. Then he criticized Peter. Jesus said to Peter, "Go away from me, Satan ! You don't care about the things of God. You care only about things that people think are important."

Related Scripture Readings

Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum. On the Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and taught the people. The people there were amazed at Jesus' teaching. Jesus did not teach like their teachers of the law. Jesus taught like a person that had authority (power). While Jesus was in the synagogue, a man was there that had an evil spirit {from the devil} inside him. The man shouted, "Jesus of Nazareth! What do you want with us? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are—God's Holy One!" Jesus said strongly, "Be quiet! Come out of the man!" The evil spirit made the man shake. Then the spirit made a loud noise and came out of the man. The people were amazed. They asked each other, "What is happening here? This man is teaching something new. And he teaches with authority (power)! He even gives commands to evil spirits, and the spirits obey him." So the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the area of Galilee.

Jesus was still there speaking. Some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. The men said, "Your daughter is dead. There is now no need to bother the teacher (Jesus)." But Jesus did not care what the men said. Jesus said to the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; only believe." Jesus let only Peter, James, and John the brother of James go with him. Jesus and these followers went to the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. Jesus saw many people there crying loudly. There was much confusion. Jesus entered the house and said to the people, "Why are you people crying and making so much noise? This child is not dead. She is only sleeping." But all the people laughed at Jesus. Jesus told the people to leave the house. Then Jesus went into the room where the child was. He brought the child's father and mother and his three followers into the room with him. Then Jesus held the girl's hand and said to her, "Talitha, koum!" (This means, "Little girl, I tell you to stand up!") The girl stood up and began walking. (The girl was twelve years old.) The father and mother and the followers were amazed. Jesus gave the father and mother very strict orders not to tell people about this. Then Jesus told them to give the girl some food to eat.