You are the Christ

Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." – Matthew 16.16

As Jesus and His disciples were travelling along He asked them a question – ‘Who do people say that I, the son of man, am?’

They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist. Some say Elijah. Some say Jeremiah or another one of the prophets.’

‘But who do you say I am?’

Peter responded in typical Peter fashion ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!’

Jesus was many things to His disciples. He was their companion, their friend, their fellow traveller, and their teacher. They saw Him in all of His humanity. It would be easy after walking and eating and sleeping with Him to forget who He really was. I think that is why He posed that question.

Despite all of the everyday distractions Peter had the right focus – ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’

We are something like the disciples. Jesus is many things to us. He is our friend. He is our brother. We are joint heirs with Him. He is our teacher. All of those are wonderful things that we need to keep in mind as we strive to serve Him. It gives us great comfort and great joy. It is wonderful to rest in His love.

But we must never forget who His is. He is ‘the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’

We need to enjoy His fellowship and His presence and His comfort, but while doing that we must remember that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One who is the true Son of the Living God.’

As such He is due all of our worship, devotion, dedication, and submission.

Remember who we serve today.