Day 22: Genesis 49-Exodus 4; Matthew 16
A question you and I must answer: "Who do you say I am?" (Jesus)
Jesus asked His disciples to speak out the popular opinions and preferences of His day: "What are people saying about me? Who do they say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13) Apparently they believed in reincarnation, for some believed He was John the Baptist. Others believed He was the forerunner of the Messiah, Elijah (that was the best popular opinion could do). Yet others turned to the prophets. All these answers were dead wrong. Jesus then asked His disciples: "How about you?" Peter's declaration is the only true confession: "You only are Messiah!" (Matthew 16:16).
The world we live in has become the prime example of basing life on opinion and preference. Way too often fact and reason are discarded as irrelevant. Ask the world today who Jesus is, and the answers vary to the extreme. And, extremely, deadly wrong! The fact remains that how the question is answered is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. To call Jesus 'the Messiah' is to embrace every claim He makes. Indeed, it is to confess our surrendered allegiance to Him and His Lordship over us. To those who so embrace Jesus, the promise He makes invites them into belonging (His Church) and overcoming (even the powers of hell cannot defeat them) forever!
"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." (Matthew 16:18, NT).
Jesus asked His disciples to speak out the popular opinions and preferences of His day: "What are people saying about me? Who do they say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13) Apparently they believed in reincarnation, for some believed He was John the Baptist. Others believed He was the forerunner of the Messiah, Elijah (that was the best popular opinion could do). Yet others turned to the prophets. All these answers were dead wrong. Jesus then asked His disciples: "How about you?" Peter's declaration is the only true confession: "You only are Messiah!" (Matthew 16:16).
The world we live in has become the prime example of basing life on opinion and preference. Way too often fact and reason are discarded as irrelevant. Ask the world today who Jesus is, and the answers vary to the extreme. And, extremely, deadly wrong! The fact remains that how the question is answered is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. To call Jesus 'the Messiah' is to embrace every claim He makes. Indeed, it is to confess our surrendered allegiance to Him and His Lordship over us. To those who so embrace Jesus, the promise He makes invites them into belonging (His Church) and overcoming (even the powers of hell cannot defeat them) forever!
"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." (Matthew 16:18, NT).
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash.
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