Narrowing The Focus!

There was an occasion on which Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ( Matthew 16:13) Through the travels with Jesus and hearing the hubbub of the crowds, they had heard such things as people saying He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. ( Matthew 16:14) Jesus then got a bit more personal with the question as we read further.

"(15) He said to them, 'BUT WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?' (16) Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" ( Matthew 16:15-16 ESV)

They had been traveling with Jesus. They had witnessed miracles of various sorts. They had heard His teaching and even gotten some off to the side explanations of some of His parables. They had observed Jesus' wise responses to those who questioned Him and tried to accuse or trap Him in their questioning. What kind of perspective were they developing in view of Jesus?

Still today some would like to view Jesus in general terms: A good man, a good teacher, a philanthropist, etc. When people ask us, WHO DO WE SAY JESUS IS? And even more than that, WHAT DOES OUR LIFE DEMONSTRATE we believe? If we claim Jesus is truly the Christ or Messiah, does our life reveal we trust in the promises linked to Him for both life now and eternity? If we claim Jesus is truly the Lord, does our life reflect we are living joyfully under His Divine and blessed authority? If we claim Jesus is truly the Son of God, does our life truly reverence and honor Him. If we truly acknowledge Jesus as the Word of God that came in the flesh ( John 1:1-2 & 14) do we daily put His teachings into practice and strive to live in a Christ-like manner?

WHO DO WE SAY? WHAT DOES OUR LIFE DECLARE? Has our focus become fixed on the reality of His Deity and Lordship so as to allow Him to make all the difference in our life? May we live in such a manner that our verbal claims will be just as believable with the hope that others will come to know Who He truly is as well. Their eternity also depends upon it since no one comes to the Father except through Him. ( John 14:6)

Have a great day LIVING FOR JESUS TO BE SEEN!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christ