Read: “But Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20).

Examine: One day when Jesus was praying alone, the disciples came to him. “Who do the crowds say I am?” he asked them.

“Some say that you are John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

“What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are God’s Messiah.”

Application: Jesus and His disciples had reached a “tipping point,” so to speak. The disciples had been with Jesus as He healed, taught, and did other miraculous signs. His group had reached Caesarea Philippi, and in the sight of a pagan worship site referred to then as “the gates of hell,” Jesus questioned His followers.

He first asked who people said He was, and then He pointedly asked Simon Peter who he said He is. Peter’s confession of faith brought Jesus’ ministry, that a person heart is opened to see and understand the Jesus is the savior of the world.

Peter’s answer declared Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Thereafter, Jesus told His disciples what would take place next — His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The Gospel was there in their midst, and Jesus told Peter that he would be the rock on which the Church was built.

When God of universe is asking “who do you say that I am” – implication is much more that knowing, that true knowledge is transformational. Did it transform me? Oh that we have heart of Peter.

Decision: Oh Lord! Help me to live a life with knowledge and full understanding that Jesus is Messiah and also live a life worthy of that knowledge. Jesus helps us to share this truth to many and fervently pray the heart of people will open and accept you as the savior of their life.

Lord in this busy life, help me to slow down and always hear this question – who do you say Jesus is? Teach me to answer this carefully, committed and in a consecrated way.