Who Do You Say I Am?

Good morning, Church!

Let's begin with a little humor. There were two men, Fred and Bob, who were avid baseball fans. One day, they were discussing what happens when one dies. Fred asked Bob, "Do you think there's baseball in heaven?" Bob replied, "I don't know, Fred. But let's make a deal. Whichever one of us gets to heaven first should try to let the other know if there's baseball there." Not long after, Bob passed away. One night, Fred heard a voice, "Fred, it's me, Bob." Amazed, Fred asked, "Bob, is that really you? And tell me, is there baseball in heaven?" Bob replied, "Well, Fred, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, there's baseball in heaven. The bad news is, you're pitching next Tuesday!"

Today, we will reflect on the question, "Who Do You Say I Am?" Our guide verse comes from Matthew 16:15-16: "But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus asked His disciples this question, not because He didn't know who He was, but because He wanted them to express their understanding of His identity. Let's look at four different responses to this question:

Peter said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Peter recognized Jesus as the promised Savior and the divine Son of God. This confession is the rock upon which our faith is built.

Thomas declared, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Thomas, after witnessing the resurrected Christ, declared His faith, acknowledging both the lordship and divinity of Jesus.

Paul wrote, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). Paul acknowledged Jesus as the visible manifestation of the invisible God, and preeminent over all.

John proclaimed, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). John recognized Jesus as the Word made flesh, revealing God's glory, grace, and truth.

These responses are not just intellectual affirmations, but declarations of faith that transform lives.

Now, Jesus asks each of us the same question, "Who do you say I am?" Your response shapes your relationship with Him. Do you acknowledge Him merely as a great teacher, a moral leader, or do you confess Him as your Savior, your Lord, and your God?

Let's pray: "Lord Jesus, we declare that You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. You are our Savior, our Lord, and our God. Help us to grow in our understanding and experience of who You are. In Your precious name, we pray, Amen."

Beloved, as we go out this week, let us ponder this question and allow our answer to mold our lives. Remember, our understanding of who Jesus is should not just shape our words, but also our actions and our relationships.

May God bless you, and may your understanding of who Christ is continue to deepen and transform your life!