A Serious Chat

You know those times, when you’re hanging out with good friends or family and one-person, out of nowhere, changes the mood by asking a serious question.  A question that puts everyone back on their heels and causes that uncomfortable silence?  A question you just know will lead to deep, deep conversation—whether you like it or not?

 

It happened somewhere around Caesarea.

 

Jesus:   “Who do people say I am?”

 

Disciples:    “Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, some say a prophet.”

 

Jesus:   “Who do YOU say I am?”

 

After all, they were His chosen few.  His closest companions. They had been with Him for sometime and had witnessed the miracles.  They heard the teachings day in and day out.  They saw the crowds.  Surely, they would get it right.

 

Crickets.  That’s all that was heard.  The silence was deafening.

 

And then one spoke up.

 

Simon.

 

–“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

 

Jesus:  “Blessed are you Simon, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

 

Peter.  A slang word in those days for “rock.”

 

The Son of Man called Simon a rock.  And it stuck.

 

And in a short time, that “rock” would go from meaning a solid piece of matter, to might I say, being dumb as a…

 

In his worst time, Peter forgot his astuteness and denied ever-knowing Jesus.

 

And a love story began.

 

 

Jesus had a church to build on Peter’s back.  Not of structure or religion, but a gathering of the people—His church—to know the Savior.  Peter was His instrument.  He knew Peter was going to mess up, be headstrong, and often put his big fisherman’s foot in his ever-expanding mouth.  But He needed Peter.

 

And Jesus knew that, the moment the rooster crowed for the third time.

 

But the love story began when Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter got it.  Long before the resurrection. Long before the day of Pentecost.  And Jesus knew He was never going to leave Peter alone.  Jesus knew that the soothing to Peter’s heart, days later in Peter’s deepest turmoil, would come from Peter’s own understanding of who Jesus was.

 

My question to you today is, “Who do say Jesus is?”

 

That, my friends, is the beginning of your love story with Him.

 

After all…

You’ve heard of His miracles.

You’ve read His Words.

You have Good Friday and Easter morning.

 

And how you answer is where the love story will be.

 

“Who do you say I am?”     Jesus wants to know.

 

A simple question, that means so much.

 

It is where your prayer life is established.

 

It is where your problems are taken.

 

It is where your perspective of this life is rooted.

 

It is where your confidence strengthens.

 

Who you say Jesus is, determines all of those and more.

 

 

…a prophet?  …a man who lived long ago?  …a creation of crazed men?

 

 

Or is He God?

 

 

One simple answer.  One simple truth.  One simple nod…can begin a love story between you and He.

 

Peter’s life was rooted in that single answer.  So is yours.  Everyone’s is.  Question is, what is YOUR answer.

 

Who do you say Jesus is?

 

(If you are in search of this answer and would like someone to chat with, I am soooo here for you!  Please, please reach out. I couldn’t think of anything more desirable than to chat with you about it. Even if you have just a small little nudging to talk–reach out. Send me an email, they are discreet. I’ll respond!)