Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” Matthew 16:17 NABRE
Jesus asks the question to His disciples who people think He is and then asks them who they think He is. Of course Jesus forms the question with a powerful “I Am,” “who do you say I am?” This is the name God uses when asked His name by Moses, “God replied to Moses: I am who I am.” (Exodus 3:14) I imagine Jesus asks the question this way intentionally. Jesus is a teacher who needs His disciples to come to their own understanding of what is truly happening; why Jesus is present, what His mission is and how they are to carry His mission forward. So by using the phrase “I AM” the disciples might naturally think of God, as we do today when we read passages like this one. Peter speaking first responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus is aware that Peter has obtained this insight through God the Father of all. It is a very affirming exchange, Jesus can see the progress of His disciples as well as know that God is alive and working in their lives. Peter and the disciples are affirmed in their maturity of spiritual growth, affirmed by Jesus that He is the Messiah, one of only three times Jesus affirms He is the Messiah.
We looking in on this conversation years later can be prepared to be inspired too by the word of God. Like Jesus disciples our growth to spiritual maturity is a long journey and as we see one that God is invested in all along the way. To grow in the knowledge of God and seek the life He desires for us is the purpose of our life. Let God help.
Who do you say Jesus is? Are you inspired by God?
Like Jesus disciples our growth to spiritual maturity is a long journey and as we see one that God is invested in all along the way. To grow in the knowledge of God and seek the life He desires for us is the purpose of our life. Let God help. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #Messiah #blessed #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways