Luke 9:18-20 – “And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”  NKJV

Too often in life and in religion people rely on what they have heard, the opinions of others rather than what they know for themselves.  If I had attempted to advance the argument, “everybody is doing it” or “everybody thinks” my parents would have immediately stopped me.  They had no time for what the “crowd” did or thought they wanted to know if I was going to do the right thing at the right time in the right way.  I was taught to swim upstream if that was the right way to go not just go with the crowd.  My heritage is that of thinking for myself, investigating until I determine truth and then acting upon what is right not what is convenient or popular.  I treasure that heritage and tried to pass it on to my children and now grandchildren.

Jesus was praying and when His disciples joined Him He had a very important and pointed question for them.  He first asked what the popular public opinion was concerning His identity and ministry.  Then He shifted to the vital and asked, “But who do you say that I am?”  He was clearly telling them that He was not concerned with the popular or pervasive opinion but what they believed in their hearts.  He was causing them to face their own convictions for it would be that deep rooted conviction that would carry them through the difficulties that lay ahead.  It would determine how they responded after He was no longer with them in the flesh.

Jesus was telling them, “I want to know…”  I want to know what you believe about me.  I want to know how much of the revelation you have understood over these past 3 years.  I want to know if you have a settled conviction in your heart as to the truth that I am the Messiah.  I want to know!

Peter, the impulsive one, uttered the profound and deeply revealing words, “LORD, You are the Christ of God.”  You are the one that John the Baptist spoke of that must come.  You are the one the prophets of old foresaw as coming.  You are the Hope of humanity.  You are the Door to Salvation.  It is not what I have heard others say that I declare but I know in my heart that you are Him!

You can read all the commentaries, hear all the sermons attempt to cling to the coattails of loved ones who immersed you in the things of the Bible and Church but it is not what they believe that matters it is what you believe.  It is the condition of your heart.  It is your commitment.  It is your faith.  It is your relationship with the Living God that is vital for you spiritually.  Hear me carefully, having a godly heritage is wonderful and invaluable but it is not what Mama believed that will carry me through but what I believe and receive personally from the LORD of Hosts.

Jesus is asking you today, “Who do you say that I am?”  You answer that not with words alone but with your life.  You are truly epistles known and read of men.  Your life testifies what you truly believe.

God bless you as you go through this day!