Who I am

Milo, our wandering kitty, has returned. Ella announced the prodigal son has come home. the whole house just settled. Are animals worth all the hassle? Many would say no. I can say for this section of the world, we all are grateful for their little lives merging with ours. They have changed our lives for the better.

Today, the question Jesus asks reminds me that he has completely changed my life. I know what I could have been without Jesus. I know who I could have become, if not for Christ. We need only compare the gospels to Acts to see the lives of the apostles before Jesus’ death and after the resurrection.

Let’s begin.

“Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭20‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.16.13-20.AMP

Jesus knew the answer to his questions. I love that. Reminds me of the garden of Eden and the LORD is walking through the trees in the cool of the day. He calls out, asking where, Adam and Eve, are you? Let’s be clear, he already knows. (Genesis 3:8-9)

The crowds have many answers to who they think he is. And honestly, that’s true, think of the many times Jesus had compassion on the crowds. He knows their hearts.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in His name [identifying themselves with Him] after seeing His signs (attesting miracles) which He was doing. But Jesus, for His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people [and understood the superficiality and fickleness of human nature], and He did not need anyone to testify concerning man [and human nature], for He Himself knew what was in man [in their hearts—in the very core of their being].”
‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.2.23-25.AMP

He knows our hearts. He knew what was in a man. Oh dear Lord, thank you for loving and saving us in spite of this. Something I wonder when I read the temptations of Jesus, did Satan know Jesus’ areas of temptation? Did he hyper fixate on certain things to challenge and dethrone the Savior of the world?

I think so. And Jesus was ready with Scripture to stop. And do you notice when Jesus fights back with Scripture, the topic is switched? Satan even uses Scripture against Jesus. (Matthew 4) So, lets tease this out a bit. If Satan does this with Jesus, why do I quickly forget his schemes and ploys with me?

Yesterday was one of those incredibly dusty days. I recall every thought and how quickly I could and can spiral. And the question that began this whole post, I ask now. Who do you say I am? Then I say his name. Jesus.

“For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/php.2.9-11.AMP

Saying his name is powerful. When I don’t have the words, or I am feeling quite weak or my thoughts are spiraling, I bring myself back to the truth, and I ask the questions. What is true of my thoughts?

Simon Peter, when asked, declares the truth. You are the Messiah (the anointed one), Son of the Living God. And listen, Jesus was blessed by this answer. Matthew wrote it, so did Luke. IF this blessed Jesus, then I want to do the same. Jesus is Lord. And it bring the Father glory as well. And it dispels my spiraling thoughts.

It’s a fight. And it’s good for me to remember that in the very next conversation in Matthew 16:21-23, Peter is chastised for his thoughts. So, this walk is my opportunity to practice my faith. Practice my turning my thoughts to life. I’m going to keep on moving forward.