Who Do You Say I Am?

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-17

“Who do you say I am?”

What if Jesus asked us this question? Would we give as clear and concise answer as Simon Peter? Or would we stumble around like the other disciples listing off the thoughts of everyone else? I would like to think that my ears would be so in tune with my Heavenly Father that I would hear the still small whisper divinely answered in my ear. However, I might just be like the other disciples listing off all the voices of the flesh that had been screaming aloud from the media, the television evangelists, or the local radio preacher. I sometimes wonder how influenced I have become simply by existing in this world around me without even realizing it. Would I even recognize the revealing of the Heavenly Father?

Living in the third world has caused us to ask some of these questions. We have observed the church here become so riddled with the “flesh and blood,” as Jesus refers to it, that they don’t know the difference between who Jesus was (and still is) and who John the Baptist was. In other words, here in Liberia, Jesus has no more power than the next guy. In fact, by their actions at times, Jesus has less power then the sources they seek out. John the Baptist was not given any divine power to heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, or set the captives free. He was not Christ. He was not the Son of God. He was not God in the flesh. But, somewhere along the way, Jesus, the Almighty One, lost His power in the eyes of the Liberians and it was given to another. This is no different than what the Isrealite children did in the desert, or what they did again and again when they arrived in the promised land. They would set up idols, Asherah poles, high places and in essence gave the power to another “god.”

So, back to my original question, “Who do you say I am?” Either Jesus has the power, or we have given it to another. Do we truly believe that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God?, or are we, of little faith, looking to other sources for our help in our times of trouble? In the western world we rely on our 401ks and our healthcare systems when we get into trouble. What would we do if none of those existed? Would we run to some other source to fix our troubles, or would we run to our ever present help in times of trouble?

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm  46:1

If we really say that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, than our hearts need to run to Him when we are in need of help, comfort, and strength. 

Heavenly Father, forgive me for not running to you first when I face challenges. Help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Father, I pray that not my will but yours be done in my life and the lives of those who read this post. We pray that you become greater in us as we become less. Father, it’s not about us, it never was and never will be, but it is all about you, for your honor, and for your glory. We lay our lives at your feet. Do as your heart desires in our lives. Let us speak all that you reveal to us through your word and through your still small voice. We pray that you seal these things upon our hearts this day. In your precious name.