Knowing Jesus
Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash.
Who do you believe Jesus is? How has your belief in Jesus shaped how you live out your faith in life?
Our belief about Jesus shapes how we believe in Jesus and how we orchestrate our lives. There is a difference in knowing about God and actually knowing God and living out our faith in the world. If Jesus is who he says he is, this truth changes everything.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus asked his disciples to identify who he is. Matthew tells us, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’” (Matthew 16:13-14, ESV).
Most people have an opinion about who Jesus is. This belief about Jesus shapes how people live out their faith in Jesus, or do not live it out. If Jesus is one prophet or guru along with a multitude of others, then it hardly matters if we adhere to his teachings or follow or obey him. If Jesus is God, however, this changes every decision we make and alters our entire lives.
Jesus continues, saying to them, “‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (Matthew 16:15-16, ESV).
Jesus is not concerned with what the masses think about him. Jesus is concerned that each of his uniquely individual disciples understand who he is and shape their lives and service around him accordingly.
Which is why Jesus answered Peter, saying, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:17-18, ESV).
When we properly identify who Jesus is in our lives, we will orient our lives around him, and get our ministry and our purpose from him. Knowing Jesus changes everything.
May we come to know who Jesus is as the Lord of life and orient our lives around him in obedience, purpose, ministry, and service.
A Prayer for Ministry: “O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
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Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash.
