Day 90

Deuteronomy 16:1–17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9

“WHO DO PEOPLE say I am?” Jesus asked His disciples (Luke 9:18). From the other synoptic Gospels, we know that this conversation took place about fifteen miles north of the Sea of Galilee, in a town known as Caesarea Philippi.

It’s a normal enough question. We ask one another these kinds of questions often: “What are people saying about me?” The disciples answered simply enough. People were saying all sorts of things about Jesus, but mostly, He was rumored to be a resurrected John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets of old. The good news was that Jesus was held in high regard among the people. The bad news was that the assumptions being made about Him were totally incorrect.

We say a lot of things about a lot of people in our lifetimes. We say that they are good, or bad, or graceful, or ruthless, or loving, or any of the attributes we can ascribe to another person. But Jesus’ follow-up question in this story is fundamental and most assuredly changes the course of a person’s life: “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:20).

Every one of us must answer this question, and we must answer it honestly. We can’t make assumptions like the people in Jesus’ time. Consider what your response might be if Jesus asked you this question today. Before you answer like Peter, or with words you know you’re supposed to say, take some time. Look at how your life answers the question, not only your words. Consider how your interior monologue answers the question, not only what you present the world with in personality. How we honestly live our lives is how we honestly answer Jesus’ question. Who are we truly saying that Jesus is?

WORSHIP:

Praise the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!