After Jesus enters the region of Caesarea Philippi (which is north of the region of Galilee) He gives His disciples more than a pop quiz. It is a direct question concerning His identity; "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man am?" The disciples try to answer by saying: "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the the prophets." Then Jesus responds with an additional question; one that is a challenge to their thinking. "He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
I can just see Peter saying to himself: "I think I know this one!" And boy does he ever. And Peter speaks up and says: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" Right away Jesus commends Peter for coming up with the right answer.
The question of this post-article today is:
How is Peter's answer the best answer for us today? This statement of the true identity of Jesus Christ should be shown in all that we say and do.
As people watch our walk, what do they see? Do they see that we truly believe that Jesus is the "Christ" (which in the Greek means "anointed one")? As the Old Testament predicted, that God would send a chosen one - the Messiah - to save the world from sin. Jesus came to fulfill God's plan for the ages, and save man-kind from the penalty of Sin.
Do we live everyday in great gratitude and praise for our redemption, and future eternal hope. Nothing matters more than our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Everyday we say no to the world, and yes, to Him. Jesus willingly came, to fulfill His role as Savior. Have we personally accepted Him as our Savior? Do we live, and act like we are saved?
In Peter's answer he goes on to identify Jesus as "the Son Of The Living God."
Jesus is more than a good man, or a good teacher, but He is the divine "Son Of The Living God." In our daily lives do we recognize Jesus as the second person of the God-head. Do we worship Him, live for Him, witness for Him, every opportunity that comes our way.
Peter had his faults, as we all do. He learned as he went along, just who Jesus was to Him. He learned that the answer he gave at this time, was the right answer, and the best answer to the questionable world. And it will be the same for us. This answer is the best answer we have for our lives, and the lives of others! GP
Photo: Katerina Holmes - www.pexels.com