Important Questions
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” -Matthew 16:13-15
The question was addressed to the disciples as a group. The answer
they give him is a disappointing one. The people do not see Jesus as anything more
than a prophet.
That doesn’t seem to concern Jesus though, as he moves right to
the next question; “Who do you say I am?” That questions seems to hold more importance
here.
After all these are the disciples.
These are the people who walk with Jesus.
These are the people that talk with Jesus.
These are the people who are up close and personal.
These are the followers of Christ and so, for them, this question holds
a deeper weight.
Jesus certainly was not John the Baptist or Elijah or Jeremiah or
one of the other prophets. What the people thought wasn’t correct; but that
wasn’t what Jesus was homing in on. Jesus wanted to know who his followers
thought he was.
“Walking” with Jesus gives us a deeper understanding of who he
truly is.
“Talking” with Jesus brings us a closer perspective.
Being “up close and personal” with Jesus strengthens our knowing
of just who he is.
We too are followers of Christ when we walk in his ways and follow
his truth.
We too are followers of Christ when we “talk” or pray to him on a
regular basis.
We too are followers of Christ when we invite him into our lives
and give him up close and personal access to our hearts.
So, who do you say that he is?
We are surrounded by a world that has their own perspective of who
Jesus is; a prophet, a good man, a teacher, some religious guy from a long time
ago. (All comments from people who were spontaneously interviewed on a city
street one day.)
But who do you say he is? Because it matters.
The question was addressed to the disciples as a group, but the
reply comes from Peter.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living
God.”
Peters answer showed a firm foundation. Peters answer was the
bedrock to withstand the weight of what Jesus said next:
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,
because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this
from any human being. Now I say to you
that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my
church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever
you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” – Matthew 16:16-17
Peter became the cornerstone of the church, because of the power
of what he believed.
There is power in what we believe. There is strength in what we
believe. When we too believe and proclaim that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son
of the living God”, we become a firm foundation which God can use to build his
kingdom.
But it all starts with that one question. Who do you say
that he is?
Do you know Jesus? Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you
know in your heart that he is your Messiah, the Son of the living God?
If the answer is “no” then I suggest you start with opening the
Book of John and start to get to know Jesus through the reading of the
scriptures. If you don’t have a church, I would also recommend finding one and
getting connected with others as you build this incredible relationship. Church
is a place where you can ask questions, hear the testimony of others and get to
know our incredible Savior more deeply.
If you do have a relationship with Jesus and a heart that knows he
is the Son of the living God, then know that God wants to work in you and
through you to do his kingdom work in the world. Ask him to reveal that to you.
Ask God to lead you to the people and the places he wants to work.
Who do you say he is and how does your answer make a difference in
your life and in the lives of others around you?
-Pastor Patti
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