Verse of the Day 4/18

Through the Bible - Daniel 1-2, Revelation 5

 

Good morning,

Yesterday we observed palm Sunday bringing us into the "passion week".  Within this week Jesus heard shouts of hosanna and cheers to begin the week yet by the end he would hear the cry "crucify him, crucify him" from many of the same people.  Much of it came from their expectation of who he was and what they were expecting him to bring about,.  They may have asked the question "what will you do for me or for us?"  The same might be asked today along with "are you open minded"?

 

In Matthew 16 Jesus asks His disciples "who do people say that I am"?   If you were to ask that same question on the street today, you would get a similar answer, along with a great teacher, a great  example to follow, or possibly a lunatic.     The disciples answered correctly in saying that some say John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.  For today's verse we'll go to the key question for the ages.

 

Matt 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered and said,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."   NKJV

 

 To call Jesus one of the prophets after four hundred years of silence would seem to be quite an honor.  To call some one a great if not the greatest teacher or greatest role model  would seem to be an honor.  But they fall miserably short of giving Jesus the honor due his name, they fall short of the glory of God. The prophets pointed to Jesus, the Messiah as the One who is to come.   Rev. Kevin DeYoung points out that "the crowds were dead wrong.  Jesus is not one of; He is the One.  Jesus is not a pointer like John, He is the point...... And if you say that Jesus is only one of and not the One, you haven't understood Him.  You don't see who he really is.  He is the Christ, the Son of the living God."    

             
It is a question for times of transition in our lives and for every day of our lives.  As our children grow and get ready to leave home for college or head off for a career or possibly off to kindergarten for the first time, it is important that they know for themselves, and be willing and able to say that Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

 

Jesus is still asking the question "who do you say I am"?   Think about what your response is this week.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Matt 16:12-20
Peter's Declaration about Jesus

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 

14 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

15 Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 

19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven." 

20 Then he sternly warned them not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

NLT