Taking a poll about anything and everything has become a popular thing to do on Facebook and other social media sites. It as if our opinion matters and will change the thinking of the world! (Smiling) Basically, it’s a way to enhance engagement so that more people will be reached with whatever you have to offer. As leaders, we use it in the Christian world as leaders with good motivations to help people find and follow Jesus.
I think of this activity of engagement as Jesus takes a poll of his believers and followers. The question of the day is “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Then Jesus has a follow up question as He polls His devoted who walk with him every day. “Who do YOU say I am?” Since Jesus knows all hearts being the Son of God, we are pretty sure He has the answers to His own poll. So, what is He really asking?
Could it be…
Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
THINK ABOUT ITGod reveals Himself to us every day IF we believe and look for Him in all that we are, all that we have a mind to do, and in all that is going on around us. God is in all. God is all. God is.
NOTICE
Once Peter declared who Jesus is, Jesus declared and affirmed His purpose and plan for Peter. THAT is something to think about, camp on and build our lives upon. Declaration brings proclamation of God purpose and plan!
Jesus is still asking us today, “Who do YOU say I am?”
The answer must come from a heart fully devoted to Him. He knows our hearts. So, pause, think, then answer. This question is for us to decide if He is who we will follow…or not.
Do we really believe that Who we believe is really real?Dear Heavenly Father,
This was not just a poll to measure your popularity. It was a way to penetrate our souls and measure our dedication to you. Jesus, I believe. You are God and I am not. You are my all in all. It is You who I want in my life to guide me into all that is best for me according to YOUR plan and purpose. Make your desires be my desires.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 