Scripture
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
Reflection
There are two questions that Jesus asks the disciples in this passage. Both similar in nature, but the one more revealing! The first “Who do people say I am?” is a very safe question. Its easy to tell you what others think about who Jesus is. You can just look it up online or ask people and are very likely to get a wide range of answers. Many of those answers may be spot on theologically, and many may be downright heretical. Either way, its a pretty safe question.
The second question Jesus asks is similar in nature, but so much more telling and revealing about how you really feel about Jesus. “But what about you? Who do YOU say I am?”. All of mankind will one day have to answer this question that Jesus asked his disciples in one way or another. We may profess to be Christians and followers of Jesus, but is he really the Messiah to us? Do we trust, know, believe and say that he is the Messiah? Have we taken the world’s view on who he is? Whatever the case, I challenge you to ask this question to yourself? I challenge you to find out if he really is the Messiah or not (Josh Xiong- Worship Director).
Thoughts for the day
- Who do you say Jesus is?
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
As you travel on your daily journey, take a few minutes to pray through your day before it starts: any tricky classes, meetings or people you’ll encounter in your day. Then after your day is done, take time to give everything back to God again as you travel home.
