I've been thinking a lot lately about Jesus' question to His disciples in Matthew 16. He first asks them "who do people say that I am?" People say a lot of things about Jesus. He didn't really exist. He did, but He's not what some people say He is. He was a good teacher, a prophet, a pillar of moral virtue and an example for all, and also my homeboy.
People say a lot of things.
After the disciples give Jesus the word on the street on who He is, He then says "but who do you say that I am?" Forget what everyone else says. What about YOU?
I think that question sums up what the Christian faith is all about, at its core. Who do you say that Jesus is? The answer to that question is the basis of whether or not you have an authentic Christian faith at all, and how high you elevate Christ in your heart and life makes a profound difference in how you live your life.
And the thing is, it's all about who you say that Jesus is. Not your pastor. Not your parents. Not your friend, your youth minister, your Bible Study leader. YOU. Who is He to YOU?
God cares more about what you think of Him than what you can tell Him of what others think.
I just keep coming back to this passage lately, and praying that those that I teach and lead would really have a faith of their own, and not just hear my words and think that it's enough. What about you? How do you answer the question that I believe Jesus is still asking today: "Who do you say that I am?"
After the disciples give Jesus the word on the street on who He is, He then says "but who do you say that I am?" Forget what everyone else says. What about YOU?
I think that question sums up what the Christian faith is all about, at its core. Who do you say that Jesus is? The answer to that question is the basis of whether or not you have an authentic Christian faith at all, and how high you elevate Christ in your heart and life makes a profound difference in how you live your life.
And the thing is, it's all about who you say that Jesus is. Not your pastor. Not your parents. Not your friend, your youth minister, your Bible Study leader. YOU. Who is He to YOU?
God cares more about what you think of Him than what you can tell Him of what others think.
I just keep coming back to this passage lately, and praying that those that I teach and lead would really have a faith of their own, and not just hear my words and think that it's enough. What about you? How do you answer the question that I believe Jesus is still asking today: "Who do you say that I am?"