Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 9:2-9
2/ Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3/ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4/ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Today’s Witness
Part of the hermeneutical challenge facing the church today is to hold regular conversations with the ancients in the presence of the now generations. The ancient prophets, judges, wisdom writers, psalmists, Jesus, and the apostles have much to tell us about God; and about God’s presence in human history, God’s vision for reunion with the human family, and of God’s beloved community wherein harmony thrives among the nations, tribes, and language groups. Messaging is not merely a didactic process where we work painstakingly through the historical, literary and source questions. It needs to become a visual process whereby we illustrate an old story, bring ancient personalities into our conversations, persons who have impacted countless peoples across the centuries. We need to learn how to hold public conversation with Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Esther, the Woman at the well of Samaria, or the child who shared his two fish and five loaves during the Poor People’s March 2,000 years ago. Interview them. Ask them, “What were you thinking then? What moved you to say and do what you did on that occasion; and what do you think of our world today based on your relationship with God long years ago? Show us the ancient ones, and let their voices be heard.
Today’s Invitation
Name one of your favorite personalities in the Bible. How has your life been impacted by that character across the years? How often do you visit with that personality nowadays? What has he or she said to you lately?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we want to you see you anew, here, and with us in our contemporary context. We want to hear what your Spirit is saying to us today. We beseech you to move us to engagement and action in our communities and our world. Give us the words to speak and the tone of voice to say them with. Grant us courage and wisdom to know how to navigate the social, cultural, and political dynamics of the spaces whereunto you have sent us as your witnesses. Come with us and show yourself to others as we live, work, and speak in your name. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Alex Lopez on Unsplash
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 9:2-9
2/ Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3/ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4/ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Today’s Witness
Part of the hermeneutical challenge facing the church today is to hold regular conversations with the ancients in the presence of the now generations. The ancient prophets, judges, wisdom writers, psalmists, Jesus, and the apostles have much to tell us about God; and about God’s presence in human history, God’s vision for reunion with the human family, and of God’s beloved community wherein harmony thrives among the nations, tribes, and language groups. Messaging is not merely a didactic process where we work painstakingly through the historical, literary and source questions. It needs to become a visual process whereby we illustrate an old story, bring ancient personalities into our conversations, persons who have impacted countless peoples across the centuries. We need to learn how to hold public conversation with Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Esther, the Woman at the well of Samaria, or the child who shared his two fish and five loaves during the Poor People’s March 2,000 years ago. Interview them. Ask them, “What were you thinking then? What moved you to say and do what you did on that occasion; and what do you think of our world today based on your relationship with God long years ago? Show us the ancient ones, and let their voices be heard.
Today’s Invitation
Name one of your favorite personalities in the Bible. How has your life been impacted by that character across the years? How often do you visit with that personality nowadays? What has he or she said to you lately?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we want to you see you anew, here, and with us in our contemporary context. We want to hear what your Spirit is saying to us today. We beseech you to move us to engagement and action in our communities and our world. Give us the words to speak and the tone of voice to say them with. Grant us courage and wisdom to know how to navigate the social, cultural, and political dynamics of the spaces whereunto you have sent us as your witnesses. Come with us and show yourself to others as we live, work, and speak in your name. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Alex Lopez on Unsplash
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.