You Say

“’But you,’ He asked them again, ‘who do you say that I am?’” (Mark 8:29)

Jesus led His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, far to the north of Galilee, on one of their excursions. A Roman temple, among others, was there, dedicated to Caesar Augustus, complete with a statue of him and reportedly an inscription that read, “Caesar is lord.” That setting provided an appropriate framework for Jesus’ first question to the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Some of the disciples reported: John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Then came the second question, “But you, who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah.”

After all is said and done, what others have to say about Jesus has no real bearing on us. Many in our world do have something to say about who they think or believe He is or is not. All that really matters, though, is who you believe and say He is. While we may influence others and others influence us, no one is accountable for what another person believes or says about Jesus. We are accountable only for what we ourselves believe or say about who He is. And, in truth, who we say and believe He is is everything. Our answer to His question has eternal significance; it will determine the entire direction of our lives, both here on earth and for all eternity.

So, who do YOU say Jesus is?

Lord Jesus, You are sovereign Lord over all the universe, Son of the living God, crucified for our sins, died, and rose again on the third day, ascended to heaven with a promise to return, that we might have eternal life with you through the forgiveness of sins on the basis of our personal faith in You. Thank You. Amen.