INSTRUCTIONS OF THE KING

         

                                   MATTHEW 16-20

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM THAT OPEN THE DOOR

TO THE HIDDEN MYSTERY NOT SHOWN THEM BEFORE
BEGAN WITH A QUESTION TO THE CROWD STANDING BY
“WHOM DO MEN SAY IS THE ONE FROM ON HIGH?”

MANY OPINIONS WERE GIVEN THAT DAY

“JEREMIAH, ELIJAH OR JOHN” SOME WOULD SAY
BUT PETER CONFESSED IN A VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR
“YOU ARE THE CHRIST, YAHWEH'S SON WHO CAME NEAR!”

JESUS THEN TURNED IN RESPONSE TO THAT “NAME.”

“YOU ARE A STONE! I'M THE ROCK THAT YOU CLAIM!”
THEN HE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHURCH WOULD BE BORN
OUT OF HIS DEATH LIVING STONES HE WOULD FORM.

ONCE THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH HAS BEEN LAID

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING MUST THEN BE MAINTAINED
DENYING ONE'S SELF AND BY BEARING HIS CROSS
VICTORY IS PROMISED, ALL ELSE IS BUT LOSS.

AS GROUNDWORK FOR THE CHURCH'S FOUNDATION

HE SPOKE OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
REVEALING PROOF HE WAS THE ONE
THE PROPHETS SAID WAS YAHWEH'S SON.

UNTIL THEN, HIS GLORY WAS HIDDEN FROM THEM

HIS OUTWARD APPEARANCE LIKE ALL OTHER MEN.
THEN AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN ONE DAY
HE WAS TRANSFIGURED IN BRILLIAN ARRAY.

ELIJAH AND MOSES APPEARED WITH HIM THERE

AS JESUS' CLOSE FRIENDS CONTINUED TO STARE
PETER SUGGESTED THREE BOOTHS TO BE MADE
BUT GOD SAID: “MY SON IS TO BE OBEYED.”

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS WERE SHARED WITH HIS MEN

CONCERNING THE CHURCH WHO ON HIM WOULD DEPEND
ISSUES OF SERVICE, FORGIVENESS, DIVORCE
DEALING WITH FACTIONS THAT STEER ONE OFF COURSE.

AFTER SOME CHILDREN WERE BROUGHT TO BE BLESSED

JESUS MADE CLEAR THAT THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
WAS NOT BUILT WITH GOLD OR PRESTIGE ON EARTH'S SOD
BUT FAITH AS A CHILD FORMS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THE MASTER THEN LIKENED OUR SERVICE FOR HIM

AS GRAPES FROM A VINE WITH A HARVEST TO WIN
SOME PLANT OR WATER THE SEED THAT IS SOWN
GOD GIVES THE INCREASE FOR HIS PRAISE ALONE.
--B. Pent