Important Questions

“Who do people say I am? … But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
Mark 8:27 & 29 (NIV)

Among the many questions that Jesus asked, the questions this week were important at the time Jesus asked them and we are still important today.

Jesus had just healed a blind man in Bethsaida. Jesus and His crew were headed to the villages in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. As they walked Jesus asked them – who do the people think I am? The guys respond some think you are John the Baptist or Elijah or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus asked them, “What about you guys, who do you say I am?” Peter speaks right up saying, “You are the Messiah.” In Mark and Luke, Jesus responds to Peter’s answer by telling them not to tell people who I am. However, Matthew gives us a bit more. Jesus has more to say to Peter. Jesus says, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and a bunch more important stuff before he tells them not to reveal his true identity to anyone else. Read it for yourself in Matthew 16:13-20.

There are lots of opinions out in the world about who Jesus is. Most agree He is a historical figure. Many might agree that He was a religious leader. A lot of people think he was just a man, who was a philosopher and taught about morals. Some religions outside of Christianity would even say he is included in their idea of the divine.

If someone came up to you while you were out taking a walk and asked you who would you say Jesus is? What would your answer be? Our answer to Jesus’ question is important not only to the mission we are all called to but to our own identities. It’s the difference of either being lost in the world or being a child of the King. Being hopeless or hope filled. Being fearful or courageous. It’s about living a life built on shifting sand or a solid rock. It’s about darkness or light. It’s about sharing in the anxiety of the world or sharing the Good News. Choose wisely, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord Jesus – a man yes, the Savior yes, the Creator of the world yes. Jesus isn’t just an idea of the divine - HE is the Divine.

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – Be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have.