Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” vs. 13
Matthew 16:13-17
There was a lot of speculation about Jesus during his ministry. There was a heightened sense of expectation among the people, and many were wondering if God had at long last sent his messiah. John the Baptist had garnered a good bit of attention, but now that he’d been arrested and killed, people were considering Jesus. So Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” It’s an important question. And, as in the first century, there are a multitude of answers. Some say he’s God, others are convinced he was a man, a great teacher perhaps, but certainly not God. Still others think of him as a mythic being, like one of the Egyptian or Greek gods. Many would agree with Simon Peter, that he’s the messiah sent by God. But beyond the speculative answers there’s a more basic question, “Who is Jesus for us?” Is he like some historical or biblical figure, or is he a person of the present? Can we have a relationship now with Jesus? Is he our Lord and Savior, and, if so, what difference does that make for our lives? These aren’t easy questions but our answers are important, and will influence the way we live. So imagine him looking you in the eye today and asking, “Who do you say that I am?”
Thought for the Day: Who do I say that Jesus is?
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