He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’” vs. 29
Mark 8:27-33
There is little doubt that Jesus of Nazareth existed. Only die-hard skeptics continue to say that there never was such a person, that all reports of his existence are only fabrications. Even if we doubt the accuracy of some gospel accounts it seems obvious that he preached and taught in Galilee and Judea at some point in the first century. Less than twenty years after his death there is evidence of growing communities of his followers all around the eastern Mediterranean. Mark reports that during his lifetime people wondered about him, thinking that perhaps he was the promised messiah of Israel. Peter, one of his prominent disciples, was convinced–in his mind there was no doubt. Jesus was the Messiah! We’re faced with the same identity question as Peter. And even if we’re not looking for a messiah, at some point we are called to make some sort of decision about who Jesus is. We could see him as simply a man, an ancient teacher who happened to have a few gifted publicists, or we could acknowledge him as the incarnation of the eternal Christ, and decide to walk in his way. It’s an important decision, one that will have a powerful impact in the way we live. We can delay it if we wish–some like to weigh options and maybe check out other messiahs, but what a blessing it is when we finally make our choice Jesus!
Thought for the Day: Who do I say that Jesus is?
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