Daily devotion – Who do you say that I am?
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”
Matthew 16:13–17, 21
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, to the northernmost part of Israel, He asked His disciples,
“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
It is from this declaration—from Peter’s confession—and from this very place, that Jesus, with His disciples, begins the journey south to Jerusalem and ultimately to the Cross of Calvary.
We are told:
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Matthew 16:21)
From the time of His birth in Bethlehem…
Through His upbringing in Nazareth…
To His baptism at thirty years of age by John the Baptist…
And throughout His three years of ministry…
Everything was now coming into focus—converging upon the very purpose for which He came.
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11)
Ponder that for a moment today.
The extent of it…
The planning behind it…
The suffering within it…
The painstaking detail of every step of Jesus’ life…
All of it occurred for you and for me.
It is as though heaven poured itself out without restraint. Nothing was held back. No cost was spared. And yet, in light of such overwhelming love, why is it that so many within the Church walk so quietly, so casually—almost untouched by it?
Why are so many of us so laconic in our walk with God?
Where is the Church that burns?
Where are hearts set alight—fuelled and flamed with passion—to now fulfill all that God desires in our service to Him?
Perhaps, at times, we are more like the young son in the following story.
A son once asked his father that upon graduating from college, he might receive a car he deeply desired. The father agreed.
The day came—the son completed his studies, received his degree, and stood expectant, waiting for the keys. Instead, his father handed him a Bible.
Disappointed, even offended, the son threw the Bible to the ground and walked away in disgust. From that day forward, he never spoke to his father again.
Years passed. The father died. As the family sorted through his belongings, the son—now older—came across that same Bible. The one he had rejected.
He picked it up. As he opened it, an envelope fell out.
Inside was the certificate of purchase—paid in full—for the very car he had longed for. It had always been his. Fully provided. Simply waiting to be received.
And so it can be with us.
If only we would come to understand…
If only we would truly know…
All that God our Heavenly Father has done and made available for each one of us.
How many of us are like that young son?
Unaware of the depth of God’s love…
Unresponsive to what has already been given…
Leaving untouched what has been fully paid for?
The question still echoes today:
“But who do you say that I am?”
For how we answer that question will not only shape what we believe—
it will determine how we live, how we serve, and how deeply we walk with Him.
Let us not leave the gift unopened.