Who do you say I am? - 17 March 2008

The devotionals during Holy Week will focus on Jesus, his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection.

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 13-16

This passage reveals the point during Jesus’ ministry at which Peter shows that the penny has dropped; Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. There was obviously some debate amongst the crowds as to the true identity of Jesus, but Jesus cuts through that with a direct, personal question. “What about you?” No looking to the next person to answer; no hiding in the crowd; “Who do YOU say I am?” Peter’s answer shows that he had got the point.

Jesus wanted a personal response from Peter; he wants a personal response from each of us, to the same question. What about us; you and me? Who do we, each of us, say Jesus is? “Who do YOU say I am?”

Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.

Do we grasp the magnitude of what that really means?

Take time today to be still and imagine Jesus asking you the question face to face; “Who do you say I am?”

What is your answer? Spend time in the presence of God and allow Him to show you what that means, and reveal how deep the Father’s love is for you; that he sent his only Son, for you.

Amen