Mark 8:27–30 (ESV)
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
27 And
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Today’s reading is
a short reading, with a very basic question. Jesus poses the question “Who do people say that I am?” This is the same question being asked today... Who is Jesus?
A recent survey by the
Barna Research Group of Glendale, California, reveals how confused people are about who Jesus was. According to the survey, traditional Christian beliefs are in decline:
∙ While 88% believe
Jesus Christ was a real person, what they believe about Him differs sharply from Scriptural teaching.
∙ 42% of those surveyed believe that while He lived on earth, Jesus committed sins, just like
other people.
∙ Even among born-again Christians, one-quarter believe Jesus sinned during His time on earth. (From a news release by the Barna Research Group, Ltd., Nov. 2, 1994.)
The people today suggest that he is: a good man, a great teacher, or a moral leader. The proper answer is that Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the Christ, the Messiah... Our Savior!
I pray: O Lord, I confess and proclaim that you are the Christ, the Son of God. We live in a world that is losing sight of your identity. Help me Lord to clearly teach and define who you are and why you
came into this world. You came with a plan of salvation to save the lost. Help me to reach out to the lost and plant the seeds of faith. Amen.