“When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples this question: ‘What are the people saying about Me, the Son of Man? Who do they believe I am?’ They answered, ‘Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets’” (Matthew 16:13-14)

“What are the people saying about Me…?” Jesus was labelled with at least four different identities by others. That’s the way they saw Him and said about Him. They were all wrong. Now, Jesus asked the same question to His disciples. “But you—who do you say that I am?” One may have expected all His disciples to chorus an answer, but Simon Peter alone spoke: “You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God!” (Matthew 16:16). Sometimes, those closest to us may not know us. To Simon, Jesus replied: “You are favoured and privileged Simon, son of Jonah! For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you.”

What people call or label us may be wrong all along. We must renounce such testimonies of men which are inconsistent with God’s declaration, however mild they might seem. What truly counts is knowing what God Himself calls us. I am what I am by the grace of God, “a chosen people… royal priest, a holy nation, God’s very own possession…” We can “show others the goodness of God” for He called us “out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Once we had “no identity as a people, now you are God’s people.” (1 Peter 2:9-10). We believe, and so we speak! (2 Corinthians 4:13). Amen.

#goodmorning

BeEncouraged❤ Freely Received. Freely Give