Who do you say I am? | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Who do you say I am? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Fred Grewe
04/29/07
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

"Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15, NIV)

It seems that everybody has an opinion about Jesus of Nazareth. Always have.

Sigmund Freud said, “Jesus could have been an ordinary deluded creature.”

Napoleon Bonaparte said, "I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ was not a
mere man.”

Michelangelo, “But to the unending eternity Christ is alive; Christ rules and reigns
and triumphs!"

Henry David Thoreau, “If Christ should appear on earth he would on all hands be
denounced as a mistaken, misguided man, insane and crazed.”

Martin Luther, "Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only
useless thinking and vain idolatry."

And famous missionary to Africa, Dr. David Livingstone said, “He is the greatest
master I have ever known. If there is anyone greater, I do not know him.”

As I say, there are no shortage of opinions about Jesus of Nazareth. The same
was true even in Jesus’ own day. While taking a break from the hectic demands
of ministry (they had just catered lunch to over 4,000 guests), Jesus and his
friends were enjoying some well-deserved R and R in the vicinity of Caesarea
Philippi. In this relaxed atmosphere, Jesus tossed a simple toss up question at
the Disciples. "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

Aware of all the latest opinion polls, they shot back with all of the current data —
John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or even one of the many prophets in Jewish
history. This was just a simple warm up to the real question (they didn’t even
need to use a lifeline for the first one!). But the real question, the Million Dollar
question came next — "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

In a moment of dazzling revelation Peter blurts out, "You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God." Jesus was aware that Peter hadn’t answered alone — he had
phoned a friend (better stated, a friend phone him) — and that friend was God.
The Father had given that incredible insight to Peter. The fact is, that’s
the only way anyone can ever come to the same faith-filled understanding into
Jesus’ true identity. It is a gift from God (see John 6:44).

But revelation’s a funny thing. It doesn’t force or change a person to believe
something — it’s more like an invitation to belief. Several moments after Peter
shared his God-given insight, his own hidden agenda nearly killed it. You see,
this was a turning point for Jesus and his Disciples. From this point forward in
Jesus’ ministry the focus was his coming death. As Jesus began to try and
explain this to his friends — their own agendas made it impossible to hear. Their
dreams of provision, prestige and power were at stake. Peter’s immediate
reaction to this death-talk was to recoil in a sense of shocked horror. "Never,
Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

Peter has just received another phone call with revelation — only this time it
wasn’t God, it was the devil. Peter it seems, wasn’t able to tell the difference in
voices (there’s a cause for concern if there ever was one).

Jesus knew the difference, however, and identified it. "Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but
the things of men." In a flash of his own brilliant insight, Bishop Fulton Sheen
commenting on Peter’s response in this passage wrote, “The Divinity of Christ he
(Peter) would accept; the suffering Christ he would not. The rock had become a
stumbling stone ...” Aye, there’s the rub. We all want a Divine Christ — but what
do we do with a suffering Savior?

It’s just so hard to understand and accept. As I say, without God’s gift of faith it’s
impossible. And even if God has given you this gift of faith — this revelation as to
Jesus’ true identity — this is just an invitation for you to believe. A response is
required.

Maybe you’re at a turning point in your own life? What if Jesus, right now, put his
hand on your shoulder, looked you square in the eye, and asked, “Who do you
say I am?” What would you answer?

That’s the Million Dollar question.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.