May 25, 2023

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Mark 8:27-30 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Mark records for us the confession of Peter concerning the identity of Jesus. Jesus begins the conversation by asking, “Who do people say I am?” If we were to ask that question of our friends, we would seem arrogant or full of pride. Jesus had a higher purpose. I believe He wanted to separate from what people said to what the disciples believed. We live in a world of a lot of opinions. Today anyone with a computer, smartphone or tablet suddenly has an opinion. Often those opinions are based on nothing other than the writer’s imagination. Elbert Hubbard defined public opinion as “the judgment of the incapable many, opposed to that of the discerning few.” Think a moment about those who thought Jesus was John the Baptist. Evidently, they had not been around very long. Jesus and John had been together at numerous times. They were distinct people so how could they suddenly become the same after John’s death. Others thought Jesus was the prophet, Elijah. This was based on a view that Elijah would appear before the Messiah and do great miracles. Based on this, they thought Jesus was this fulfillment. But Jesus wanted to make a point that what really mattered was what the disciples thought. “But who do you say I am?” That is the real question. It doesn’t matter what others say, it matters what you say. This is true today. What do you say about Jesus? What do you say about the Word of God? It is what you say that will either bring condemnation or freedom. Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. That is a Greek word that is the same as the Hebrew word “Lord.” Both terms meant “the anointed one.” The Jews had been seeking the Messiah for centuries. What a powerful declaration by Peter. We must make that same declaration. We must decide that Jesus is our Savior. He is our Anointed One. He is our hope.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me to declare that Jesus is Lord. Help me to live a life as if Jesus is the Savior of my life.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”