The fundamental question

Day 23
OT Reading: Exodus 4-6
NT Reading: Matthew 16

Today's chapter in Matthew lends itself to a number of questions and points of discussion. In fact I could go on for a great deal of time with so many good pieces of information and discussion in this section. However I'd like to focus on one and perhaps deal with others at another time.

The most poignant event to me in this section was Jesus' first interaction with Peter . Jesus began by asking the apostles, "Who do people say that I am?" As it turns out, the word on the street was varied on exactly who Jesus was. Some believed he was John the Baptist come back to life. Some believed that he was one of the prophets of old reincarnated. As it turned out, there were many positions about exactly who people believed Jesus was.

But we really have no record of Jesus responding to any of the rumors regarding His identity. There is no indication that he was more honored or insulted by one belief or the other. Instead, Jesus turned the matter into a much more personal one. He directly asked the disciples, "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?"

Yet the truth is that today opinions about Jesus have only grown in diversity. He is in fact the most loved and hated character in all of human history. More books, songs, and movies have been created about him than any other personality. Every major cult and religion, and even every individual seems to have their own position about who Jesus is.

But really...where you and I are concerned...all that does not seem to matter to Jesus. Sure there are opinions and beliefs about him; both true and false. Yet the real question Jesus wants to ask us is simply, "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?" And how we answer that question impacts not only our reading of the Bible, but decisions we make every day, and ultimately our eternal destiny.

So without just blowing over the question, or just copying what Peter said...I'd like you to really wrestle with and define. Who do you say that Jesus is?