True Identity

True Identity

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16

Peter was spot-on. This was the same Peter who would later deny Christ on three different occasions. But at least for this moment, Peter was right on track.

We are often tempted to turn from Christ and who He calls us to be.

During the course of a season, at various times in team meetings unrelated to the football side of things, I would ask the guys to consider who they were. Many of them had never taken time to think that question through, especially when I said they needed to take football out of the equation. They had never thought of themselves except in the context of football. Everything they were, had done, and were about to do—to them, at least—was related to football.

So for them to stop and think for a moment about themselves unrelated to that environment—well, it was uncomfortable, to say the least. For some of my players, it seemed impossible to think in those terms. For many it was a totally new concept: to begin to think of who they were and of who God made them to be. To look at their interests and passions outside of football. To notice certain people in their lives—family, spouse, children—in a different way. To see their potential and purpose in other things besides being a football player was a bit unnerving. And also to stop and think for a moment where God fits into all of that.

“But who do you say I am?”

Who do you say He is?

Uncommon Key > Ask yourself the question Jesus asked His disciples, and jot down what comes to mind. Do you believe that Christ is the Son of God? Ask God to make your belief even stronger.