“But How About You?”

“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’  And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’  Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.'” Luke 9:18-20

We do not know what Jesus was praying. He’d just led His disciples in feeding a crowd of over 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish, and must have thanked God for the miracle. During this season of Passover, He surely wanted them to understand the significance of the multiplied bread, His supernatural provision, and satisfaction. He may have asked His Father for ongoing sustenance of wisdom and words and divine focus. We do know that prayer for Him was a priority, and that He came out of these moments with penetrating questions for His close followers that evoked personal response and invited faith. (John 6:4-15)

Jesus wanted His people to think for themselves. By asking who the crowds said He was, He wanted them to understand world-speak and distinguish their own beliefs from the tangled chatter around them. What even the majority thinks is unimportant, what you think is vital. If you take in all the world says and pretends is real, you might lose yourself. If you have all knowledge but don’t know Me, you’re lost. It’s Me, My word, true truth, that matters. (Luke 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 13:2)

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:15-18

What Peter confessed drove his ongoing development and ministry. His proclamation became the cornerstone and foundation of the early church. What we believe and confess determines how we will behave and the course of our life and ministry.

So who do we say Jesus is? What do we know and believe about Him in history and personal reality? Are we studying what others say about Him more that searching for Him ourselves directly in His word, through His Spirit, and by prayer? What are we daily learning of His attributes and ways with man, nature, and nations? How does our knowledge of Him color our outlook and impact our dealings with family, relationships, work?

“My faith has found a resting place,
not in device or creed;
I trust the ever-living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt;
a sinful soul, I come to him,
he’ll never cast me out. 

My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God,
salvation by my Savior’s name,
salvation thro’ his blood.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.” ~Lidie H. Edmunds (1891)

Lord, keep me daily learning more of You. Help me live out my beliefs with bold witness of Your love, character, and salvation.