Who Do You Say He Is?

Who Do You Say He Is?
Mathew 16:15

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Mathew 16:15 (NIV)

The question that was posed to Peter by our Lord seemed pretty simple and forthright. It was as if Jesus had heard enough from the intellectual level. I can almost imagine the environment when Jesus listened to all the others. Each of their responses could have been prefaced with “Well the evidence seems to indicate……” then follow that with their conclusions based on what others were saying. “Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus just cut through all the issues with the simple question to Peter. Our Lord’s question could have also have been preceded with ….. “Peter, regardless of the evidence and what others are saying, in your heart…..” Who do you say I am?”

That was the moment of truth. Yet, that same question must be answered by each one of us daily. Our answer will be stated by two separate responses. The first answer will be the words we choose to speak and the second will be shouted louder by how we choose to live our lives. It is one thing to say that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and our Lord and Savior. It is quite another thing to live our lives in such a way that shouts in an undeniable manner that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and our Lord and Savior.

I am convinced that our families, friends and those around us are going to know what we believe about Jesus before we get the chance to tell them what we think about him. They will see in us what we believe long before they hear from us what we think.

Now, here is the problem. For far too many years people around me could not hear what I was saying with my mouth about Jesus because my life was shouting too loudly a message to the contrary.

I believe that I did more to lead people from the Lord rather than to Him.

Now I have this picture that keeps running over and over again. I picture myself standing with Jesus and He is listening to all the answers from the others. Then He turns to me and says, “But what about you?” He asks, “Who do you say I am?”

Before I can answer Him, He says, “Don’t answer that. Let me just watch you today and I will see the real answer.”

So today, when others look at you and see how you choose to live your life……. Who do you say he is?

Let us go to the other side

In Mark 4:35, Jesus said to the Disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." So with absolute confidence the Disciples felt very comfortable to go with Jesus. Really...what could happen? They were following Jesus.

The seven verses from Mark 4:35 to 41 tell us so much.

1. Even following Jesus we may encounter some of the worst storms imaginable. In the boat were fishermen and some tough guys. Many of them had been in bad storms before. Yet, this one was so bad they feared for their lives... even with Jesus on board. Following Jesus does not exempt any of us from fierce storms in life.


2. Others started out with them. Mark 4:36b "There were other boats with him." When the water is calm and it is a nice day others will certainly join in. There is no mention of any other boats at the time of the storm. Do you think the others would only go so far and turn back? Maybe they saw the indications of a storm and turned back. Others may start with us but many will turn back and we must learn to rely on Jesus not others.


3. Doubt came upon the Disciples with Jesus in there presence. Some may tell us that if we have doubt, we are too far from Jesus. I do not believe it for a moment. the Disciples had incredible doubt and Jesus was so close they could touch Him. Doubt may come when we are walking close to Jesus and storms come. To doubt our faith is not a sign that we are not close to Jesus. God is using that moment to strengthen our faith. While it is not a sin to doubt...Don't live there, just visit.

4. They thought they knew Jesus and He showed them more of Him. Verse 41.. "They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Just when we think we know Jesus he will surprise us and show us more of Him than we expected. Day by day and moment by moment, Jesus continues to show me more of Him than I could ever imagine.

So for me, each day is like getting in the boat again with Jesus with the promise of going to the other side. Some days (and nights) are marked by storms and others are calm. Often I cannot anticipate. I am learning to trust.

Have a great day going to the other side with Jesus today!!