Ponder: Should you say what people are saying?
Scripture: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? . . . But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:13. 15).
The twelve had just returned from a preaching tour through the cities in Galilee. By this time Jesus was well-known for His teaching and healing all over the country. Some loved Him; others hated Him. Either way the question remained: Who exactly is this man?
When Jesus asked who people were saying He was, the apostles were ready with the answer. Spending weeks with Israelites in various communities had given them firsthand knowledge. Some said He was John the immerser. Wicked Herod Antipas had murdered John, but a rumor arose that Jesus was John returned from the dead! Others thought Jesus was Elijah, that tough old prophet God had promised to send (Mal. 4:5) and did, in fact, send in the person of John the immerser (Matt. 11:14; Lk. 1:17).
Speculation abounded among the Jews that one or more of the old prophets would reappear, so some thought Jesus was Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. That may strike us as weird, but let’s face it! Even today some religious people have bizarre ideas about who Jesus is.
Here’s the crucial question: “Who do you say that I am?” Impetuous Peter answered for the group: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16). To their credit, the apostles didn’t buy into what the people were saying. Let us, like they did, set aside the world’s strange notions about Jesus and simply accept what God has revealed in His word. When Jesus walked this earth, He was God in the flesh! He is no longer in the flesh, but He is still the God/Man and always will be.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Hymn: “Oh Listen to the Wondrous Story”
Prayer: Father, we praise and thank You for giving is such a wonderful Savior! In His name, Amen.
–Joe Slater
