If anyone else asked, “Whom do men say that I am?” we would think him either mad or arrogant. But in the case of Jesus, a right confession of His Person is basic to salvation. His Person and His work go together and must never be separated.

It is amazing to see how confused the public was about Jesus. Perhaps, like Herod, the people thought Jesus was John raised from the dead.

It had been prophesied that Elijah would come again, and some thought that this prediction was fulfilled in Christ. However, Jesus did not minister as did Elijah; it was John the Baptist who came “in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1:17).

One thing is clear: we can never make a true decision about Jesus Christ by taking a poll. The important thing is not what others say, but what you and I say. The decisions of the crowd, wrong or right, can never substitute for personal decisions.

Peter had the correct response: “Thou art the Christ [the Messiah]” (Mark 8:29). This confession was Peter’s response to the revelation God the Father had given him. This revelation was not the result of Peter’s own investigation. It came as the gracious act of God. God had hidden these things from the proud Pharisees and Sadducees and revealed them to “babes,” the humble disciples.

Verse for today: “Jesus … asked His disciples saying, ‘Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?’” (Matthew 16:13).

Also read: Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 2:18-23; 4:1-3; John 10:19-21; Malachi 4:5; Luke 1:13-17; Matthew 11:25-27.

Action assignment: You know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. But you probably have a friend who does not believe. Pray for this friend, believing that he or she will come to know Jesus as the Son of God, and will begin a personal relationship with Him.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in