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When Jesus Makes It Personal


He said to them, “
But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “
You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
(from Mt.16:13-20)

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to know about someone without really knowing them personally? We do it all the time with celebrities, public figures, and even people we see regularly but never really get to know.

In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asks the disciples, “who do you say that I am?”

That question still feels amazingly personal today.

Imagine the disciples looking at one another, wondering how to answer. 

They had heard all the rumors and opinions about Jesus. Some thought Jesus  a prophet, others a teacher sent by God.

But Jesus was not interested in public opinion. He wanted to know what His followers believed.

That is what makes this passage so relevant. 

It is easy to talk about what our parents believe, what our church teaches, or our pastor says. It is much harder to answer Jesus' question for ourselves.

There are seasons in life when faith feels strong and certain, and other seasons with questions and struggles.

Yet Jesus' question remains the same: "Who do you say I am?"

Peter's answer changed everything.

He recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus then promised to build the Church on that truth, and nothing would overcome it.

That is comforting in a world that often feels uncertain. 

Relationships change. 

Circumstances change. 

Life can be unpredictable.

But Jesus remains the same.

This powerful passage reminds us about a relationship with Jesus Christ which eventually, each of us must answer personally.

Who do you say Jesus is?


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