It seems 3 year old Jocelyn has discovered the truth about names.
She has figured out that relationship titles such as “mom”, “dad”, “sister” are not the same as a person’s name. So the other day, she asked me, “What’s you name?” And I replied, “Mimi.”
To which she quickly shot back, “No, you other name.”
Jocelyn is wanting to sort through how we all are related to one another. She wants to know who we all are and how we fit together.
One day Jesus asked His disciples a similar question …
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13, NLT)
Why does He ask such a question?
They were in an unbelieving area being followed by crowds. He wanted to know what the crowd was thinking and saying.
The crowds reply quite favorably, for Jesus was a popular guy. Some say He is John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
And then Jesus turns the question onto the disciples, asking …
“But who do you say I am?” (verse 15)
And here we see for the very first time that they knew, they recognized Jesus for Who He was – “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16).
Peter made the connection between the long awaited Messiah and the Christ, the anointed One.
Peter further demonstrated that he was fully aware of relationships, recognizing Jesus as the Son and God as His Father. Peter, interestingly states that Jesus is the Son of the living God. Peter sees Jesus as the One who imparts life. Peter’s eyes may have been opened to the fact that idols were lifeless but Jesus was alive and living.
We all must answer that question for ourselves as Jesus asks, “But who do you say I am?” Our answer demands a choice, a decision. We will either go our own way or His way. We will either deny Him or deny ourselves.
Our answer will determine how we will live and walk out the days of our lives.
And our answer will also determine our relationship with our heavenly Father.
“But who do you say I am?”
This is Day 10 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.
Today I am joining … Weekend Whispers and Faith ‘n Friends .
Who do I say that He is? He is the Son of God, the King of Kings, my Healer and Provider. My Strong Tower, my Strength, my Hope my Everything! Thank you for sharing!
Amen, Barbie!