Word@Work Luke 9:18-20
Published: Mon, 07/12/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
A QUESTION OF IDENTITY
Luke 9:18-20 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." (NIV)
The moment had come to challenge the disciples about Jesus' identity. Having spent time praying to Father God, the Lord turned to ask His followers who the people in the crowd thought He was. His teaching and miracles alone could not define Him: unlike people who achieve greatness because of their achievements, Jesus was great because He had always been the Son of God.
The first question was oblique - what was the crowd saying about Him? The only people they could use as reference points were the Old Testament prophets like Elijah, or the more recent John the Baptist. Those people were God's servants, speaking truth and doing miracles. But was Jesus just a prophet? Peter's response was clear ... Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) of God.
The same question is important today, "But what about you, who do you say I am"? The answer does not so much define Jesus, as us. 1 John 4:15 says, "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." Many will say Jesus is just a teacher, prophet, good man, great example etc; but they have all missed the point, and cannot claim to enjoy God's living presence. But those who can say without hesitation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, do so because they have a relationship with Him and have received His Spirit. Evangelistically, it is a great diagnostic question and takes your conversation right to the heart of the Gospel. It will challenge your friends to think about the unique person of Jesus Christ and their relationship with Him. Pray, and then look for the opportunity to ask what people think about Jesus - it will open the way for you to tell them what you think, and why!
Prayer: Eternal God. Thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ is far more than the sum of His teachings and miracles. Thank You for helping me to believe in Him. So thank You for this important question which helps me to reaffirm my faith in Him; and provides a wonderful conversational springboard. So, please help me to talk with my friends and colleagues about the Saviour of the world who loves me and them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The moment had come to challenge the disciples about Jesus' identity. Having spent time praying to Father God, the Lord turned to ask His followers who the people in the crowd thought He was. His teaching and miracles alone could not define Him: unlike people who achieve greatness because of their achievements, Jesus was great because He had always been the Son of God.
The first question was oblique - what was the crowd saying about Him? The only people they could use as reference points were the Old Testament prophets like Elijah, or the more recent John the Baptist. Those people were God's servants, speaking truth and doing miracles. But was Jesus just a prophet? Peter's response was clear ... Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) of God.
The same question is important today, "But what about you, who do you say I am"? The answer does not so much define Jesus, as us. 1 John 4:15 says, "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." Many will say Jesus is just a teacher, prophet, good man, great example etc; but they have all missed the point, and cannot claim to enjoy God's living presence. But those who can say without hesitation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, do so because they have a relationship with Him and have received His Spirit. Evangelistically, it is a great diagnostic question and takes your conversation right to the heart of the Gospel. It will challenge your friends to think about the unique person of Jesus Christ and their relationship with Him. Pray, and then look for the opportunity to ask what people think about Jesus - it will open the way for you to tell them what you think, and why!
Prayer: Eternal God. Thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ is far more than the sum of His teachings and miracles. Thank You for helping me to believe in Him. So thank You for this important question which helps me to reaffirm my faith in Him; and provides a wonderful conversational springboard. So, please help me to talk with my friends and colleagues about the Saviour of the world who loves me and them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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