Luke 9:18-21 – “And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?”  19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”  NASU

I have found that some people base their entire lives on what others say.  Their beliefs, self-evaluation and actions are contingent upon what others say.  Some belong to a particular political party based on what those they want to impress say.  Some pursue vocations based on what others say.  Some date and marry particular individuals because of what others say.  Rather than thinking for themselves they allow the ‘opinions of others’ to shape their destiny.

Jesus asked the disciples two questions in this passage.  One had to do with what ‘others say’ or ‘think’ and the second was in direct contrast to the opinions of others and made personal.  He asked, “Who do the people say that I am?”  The answers were varied and then He made it personal asking, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simply, “Men, I really am not concerned with what the masses say I want to know what you think.  You have been with me observing me and hearing me so WHO do you believe that I am?”  That is the critical question in our spiritual walk.  WHO IS GOD to us?

One can go to seminary and hear what men of the ages have declared about God, learn what the professors think about God but the bottom line will always be WHO IS HE TO YOU!  When Jesus asked that question impetuous Peter got it right.  Peter blurted out, ‘The Christ of God!’  You are Messiah the Coming one!  You are the one with the words of life.  You are He whom we have been looking for.

Once you move beyond what the preacher, parents, friends, politicians, or the public thinks, believes or says to what is in your heart you are in a position to develop a personal relationship with Him.  I heard someone say once, “If everyone or no one believes in God I do and will.”  Jesus is a personal savior to me.  He met me at the kitchen table on a Saturday night or Sunday morning just after midnight in Palestine, Texas and lifted the load of guilt from my life.  It was not what my parents said about Him, the preacher preached about Him, my friends thought about Him – I EXPERIENCED HIM.  I could not answer all the questions that people, my mind or the devil hurled at me but I KNEW that my sins were gone and I was a new creation.  It was not what others said but what I experienced that transformed me.

So, the question is not how I can prove God to the world but God has proved Himself in my heart.  I prove Him by manifesting Him in my transformed life.  I can use all the persuasive argument, rational reason, logical deduction, biblical, scientific and historic proof that I can muster and it will not compare with the fact that, in my heart, I KNOW He is THE CHRIST OF GOD!  I may have doubts and fears, my eyes may fill with tears but Jesus is a friend that is with me day and night.  He never leaves.  He never forsakes.  He never fails.  I am not concerned with the answer to the first question but my life is anchored to the second.  “Who do you say that I am?”  You are Messiah!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!