Daily devotion – The Christ
Whenever we visit Israel on one of our Church pilgrimages, one of my favourite places is Caesarea Philippi, which is to the very north of Israel. From Caesarea Philippi one can see the houses of Lebanon, Mount Hermon, and the border of Syria.
It is as this location that Jesus asked His disciples this question – Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
The disciples said – “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Then Jesus changed His question. He asked who do they say He is?
Peter, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit said…. said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Why was Jesus pressing in on the disciples for their answer? Peter’s declaration about Jesus being the Messiah was the declaration of Messiah’s program which was going to lead to His going to Jerusalem from Caesarea Philippi to be crucified.
But there was more, for on Peter’s statement Jesus said He would build His Church. Not on Peter, but on his statement about Jesus – 1Co 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The question we need to ask ourselves today, is by our living and our witness, who are we saying that Jesus Christ is?
For He can only be one thing – that being the Son of God!
He is not just another way to Heaven, nor is He just another religious identity in man’s pursuit of God.
No, He is the Christ, the Son of the living God – the Anointed One and in Him are fulfilled all the promises of God to the nation Israel and a lost world.
Let our witness to the world reveal that the Christ is none other than God in the flesh. That He is the Saviour of all mankind.
Whenever the name of Jesus rolls off your lips, let the impact to those you are sharing His name with understand you are talking about the Son of God, Jesus Christ, God incarnate and your Lord and Saviour.
Who do you say He is…..?