Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

18One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

19“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”

20Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah^d sent from God!”

I thought I would put myself into this scene, just to make me think. Of course, I started with being one of the disciples. Jesus asks us first “Who do people say I am?” Really not hard to answer. We all seem to know what the rumor mill is grinding out. Notice the “people” just can’t quite bring themselves to see Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Then Jesus asks us “But who do you say I am?”

It’s pretty clear Jesus doesn’t expect the same answer. Peter of course shouts out his answer – the big mouth. I was thinking, I just didn’t say it, or at least not till Peter did. And that’s when it hit me. How often in life do I have the chance to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah and I fail to do it? How often do I melt into the crowd, not quite willing to shout out before everyone else. Or maybe it is when I go through my day doing my busy work and fail to stop and encourage someone who crosses my path.

Of course, I couldn’t stop there. What if I were Jesus in this scene. If I asked the crowds who I was, would I be happy with the answer? But much more importantly, if I asked my family and close friends who I was, what would they say? And if they all shouted out answers, perhaps I am making them too comfortable. And if they were all silent, what would that mean? Is their truth so difficult to say because there would be so much for me to change?

Lastly, and most importantly, what if I asked Jesus who he said I was? I think all of us would be surprised. I think Jesus would answer with what we were created by Him to be, and that would likely be amazing. Perhaps not the role we would want, but I bet within the purpose Jesus created us for, Jesus dreams of us being excellent, tremendous, amazing and incredible. Why do I think that? I think we are all called to “be Jesus” here on Earth, and I wouldn’t describe him with any mediocre adjectives!

Holy Spirit, give me the courage to boldly proclaim Jesus is Lord and to live like I believe what I proclaim. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the person I was created to be and give me the courage to truly “be Jesus” in my little corner of the world.