From The Edges – Ground Hogs and Jesus – Morning Devotional

From the Edges – Morning Devotions

Ground Hogs and Jesus

Pastor Calvin Cook – August 1, 2024

Scripture focus – Matthew 16:13-17 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

On July 26th, Gail and I were riding through the rural areas of the South/Central part of Pennsylvania, Northern Maryland, and a tip of West Virginia. The area we were in is a very agricultural area with fields and pastures stretching for miles. That day I noticed more than one ground hog in the field along the roadside and was instantly transferred back to home in Dawson, Pa as a child.

Ground Hogs were very common in those days, probably in that area aside from rabbits was one of the most common animals we would see. Ground Hogs were called by many names, of course Ground Hogs, Woodchucks, (go ahead say the little poem), Whistle Pigs, and I won’t use the names some of the farmers called them. You probably already know that Ground Hogs are ground dwellers and are professionals at digging holes in the fields which cause much damage when a cow or a person steps in one of the holes or a tractor ends up with damage from hitting one of the larger holes they dig.

As I thought about this – I thought about this passage of scripture that I share with you this morning. Matthew 16 gives us a look at the situation the Pharisees and Sadducees were causing because of the stir Jesus was causing. By the way this stirring would be what changed the world and raised up these Disciples like Peter to build the church which is what continues or should be continuing today as the church with a Jesus purpose.

Just like Jesus does he turned it around, turned it back to the people especially to Peter when he asks the question “Who do people say that the Son of man is?” (Matt 16:13) A long list of who the Son of man is: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, a prophet. I pause here to think today who do people of this day say that Jesus is? In the response can you see the need for us to lay down our nets and pick up the cross?

Jesus continues and makes it very personal. “But who do you say that I am?” (v 15). Peter’s response was “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v16) Pause here a minute and step into Caesarea Philippi for a moment, you are part of the crowd, part of the onlookers watching this all unfold and suddenly this Rabbi, teacher looks into your eyes and ask the question “Who do you say that I am”. Suddenly the world pauses, the crowd becomes distant, it is just you and Jesus and he is asking you to answer a question. As Jesus ask- “Who Do you say that I am”. Please at this point don’t think of the standard Sunday school answer, don’t overthink it or under think it. Be prepared to give the answer straight to Jesus who Jesus really is to you?

Peter’s answer was “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v16) Have you thought anymore about your answer to the question who Jesus is? Or has your focus been only on what Jesus can do for you, and not what you can do for Jesus. Have your thoughts only been on receiving healing of the body, meeting your expectations of the day or of life, and not how the first and most important life changing question that needs answered is who Jesus is to you. Not what the preacher says, or the church, or television, or social media, or your family, or your friend but who Jesus is to you. That answer will be life changing! It will also relieve some stress and frustrations that the world and evil is causing.

The groundhog’s scientific name is Marmota monax. Though that doesn’t really matter what does matter is how we will identify Jesus in our life. Healer, Sustainer, Savior, Son of God, Power and Majesty, or is he still just some character we heard about at Vacation Bible School or read about in some book. For all of us he must become “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

See you soon from the Edges of Life while We Follow Jesus together.