Faith
But Who Do You Say I Am?
Matthew 16:15
I love the story from the book of Matthew where Jesus and his disciples arrive in a particularly pagan area. At that time Jesus asked his followers, “Who are they saying that I am?” The disciples answer with a variety of names given by a mixture of ideologies. Jesus then presents his twelve with a single pop quiz question asking, “But who do YOU say that I am?”
Most everyone has a favorite scripture, and this is the one I call my “signature scripture”. Several years ago, I found myself in a place of searching. I had known and revered the Lord since I was a small child, but had grown complacent in my faith walk. In fact, I had become quite stagnant. So, I began to pray and ask that God would create a hunger in me, not only for His Word, but simply for the things of God.
I already owned a great Bible given to me as a gift a few years earlier. My plan was to start with the New Testament, beginning of course with Matthew. I was familiar with many of the stories already, but as I continued to read, something else was happening. My understanding of what I was reading was changing. And it was when I reached verse 15 of the sixteenth chapter that a light came on.
“But who do you say that I am?” The words nearly exploded off the page. I couldn’t go any farther. I was hung up on those eight tiny words. But who do YOU say that I am? Suddenly, I sensed that I was being given a pop quiz…..the one truly revealing question of where we are in our walk with the Lord. I was now confronted by my own life as I contemplated the depth of that simple yet profound question.
Who did my language say that He was? Who did my thoughts say that He was? Who did my actions say that Jesus was? Everything I said or did, I realized was a reflection of who Jesus was in my life. I had been guilty of putting Him in a box, pulling Him out on Sundays and using Him only in the case of emergencies. My heart was heavy and I hung my head in shame.
But…restoration and joy came in the next two verses. …. (16) Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
(17)Then Jesus answered, saying “Blessed are you, Simon, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.”
It was in that moment, I knew God was revealing Himself to me in a way that would impact me forever. It would be the scripture that held the mirror to my soul and became the springboard of my faith.
But…who do you say that He is?
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
This is a great devotional article. Well written and insightful. Bless you ~Stevie
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 982 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Shari England or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 982 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.