When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They said, “John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “you are the Messiah, Son of the living God.” Jesus responded “Blessed are you, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”
In these times of uncertainty, we look for something on which to rest our lives. The disciples found this in Jesus. Note: Peter was the only one to be willing to step out in faith.
In the midst of times we are currently experiencing, we will still be the church. We will be the church to the neighborhood, community and the city, no matter what happens. Meeting together as we do in this time of unknowing, is where we gather our strength. Realize who we are isn’t about sitting in the chairs of Holy Apostles, it is about who we are when we are outside the doors of the church.
In these times of conflict, we are challenged as never before. We are bombarded by news. We are surrounded by fears and fearful people. Yet, at the center rings this question to us, “Who do you say that I am?”
Jesus calls on us today to answer that Question. He is not interested in dispassionate, hypothetical views regarding his life and works, Instead, he wants to know what his followers and disciples think of Him today. He demands a decision, accept Him or reject him.
There are challenges and conflicts in our lives today that do not reflect the Holy God in whom we believe. They are placed in our lives as tests to examine what we will declare about Jesus. Can we say that despite the hardships, conflicts, struggles and stresses in our lives, Jesus is our Christ, the son of the living God? Does Jesus impact our lives daily, making a difference in the way we think and feel and what we say? If our faith is wavering in belief, all we have to do is ask God to reveal to us who Jesus is, just as he did with Peter. People and circumstances will change with seasons and times of life, but when all is said and done, we want our faith and convictions to be as solid as rocks so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us.
If we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, he will call us to serve. We might have to serve dangerously. We might have to serve uncomfortably. We might have to serve quietly. If we obey his call, our lives will be a blessing to many, and we will contribute to the building of God’s kingdom. We will have a special place in God’s kingdom both now and for eternity.
