Mark 8:27-30
“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”
Mark 8:27-30 NIV
Have you ever been asked a thought-provoking question, like. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime? If your life were a movie, which actor would you want to play you?
Questions are important, but there is one question that stands out from all other questions, since this question determines our eternal destiny. This one question actually separates those who spend eternity in heavenly joy, and those who’ll spend eternity in torment in Hell. This single question is the most important reality in our lives now, and in our eternity forever.
The most important question we will ever have to answer is who do we say Jesus is? Our life in the here and now and our eternal status hinges on the answer to that very question. Like others in the disciples time, many in our day respond to this by saying He was a good man, or perhaps a prophet but certainly not God. Countless others give it no thought at all. Some say He is the Christ yet do not make Him their Lord, they speak it with their mouth yet their hearts are for from Him.
Considering all that Jesus said of Himself in Scripture, He is either who He said He was fully God and fully man or the truth was not in Him.
When our funeral comes it will be one of joy, or one of deep sorrow on the basis of our response to this question. And it’s not verbally answering this question that saves us, but our life response to this question that’ll make all the difference. Like answering, Is this ship sinking will not rescue you it will be answering, Yes, then stepping into the lifeboat. That will save you. Answering Is this building on fire is not enough but answering, Yes, it’s on fire, then grabbing the only rescue ladder.
It is not enough to answer, Who is Jesus with an answer. It is that you actually put your entire life in His hands to forgive you from your sins and rescue you from God’s eternal judgment.
Public profession is one of the most important steps of our discipleship. Notice that Jesus did not ask, Who do you believe that I am? He already knew what they believed. Instead He asked, Who do you say that I am? This is a public profession, which is a statement of our allegiance.
When we get to know Jesus, we realize that He is not just an addition to make our life better. Jesus is not another ingredient to make life more meaningful. Jesus is actually the only ingredient we need. Jesus does not make life meaningful, He is the source of meaning. Jesus changes our life, our values, and our beliefs. That’s how Jesus affects us. We don’t add Him, He comes in to do His work in us.
Recognizing the true identity of Jesus still has fantastic consequences for us today. When we acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, our Savior, and submit to His lordship in our lives, we are saved from our sins. Freedom from eternal punishment and from bondage here on earth.
Today, He is still asking us, Who do you say I am? What will we answer? Do we simply believe that Jesus is a good man, prophet, or teacher? Or do we recognize that Jesus is the Christ?
When Peter said that Jesus was the Christ, there was a weight to the words. The Christ was the One who had been expected for thousands of years by the Jewish people. The Deliverer sent by God to redeem His people. The anointed One. The Chosen One. Son of God. Son of Man. The Very Word of God. Lion of Judah. Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor. The Way. The Truth. The Life. The Messiah.
And He still is today. Jesus is all those things because He loves us. He loved us enough to give His life for us. To suffer persecution and torture before dying with the weight of the sin of the whole world, of all time on Him. It was so stressful, He was literally sweating blood. But He did it because He loved each of us so much.
But if Jesus is our King, that means something. It means that it's a choice we are making that others may not make. It means that we can't keep Jesus at a distance, but He will be significant for our lives. And it means that the relationship between Jesus and ourselves is defined, He is our ruler, our Lord and we do to do as He says. If that's the relationship between Him and us, then everything in our lives changes!!!
Father thank You for this day and for giving us a clear picture of exactly Who jesus is. Lord open the storehouses of Your abundant blessings let them rain down on my friend and family today. Lord may we see Your glorious character and person, and be in awe. Lord our worship of You be all in as living sacrifices. Lord may we here not merely answer this key question, but may we here embrace the answer with our lives. Lord give my friend and I greater boldness to call others to answer this question which determines their eternal destiny today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya
Comentários