Corona 227

The topic of presidential candidates is on everyone's minds these days.  "What do you think of Joe?"  "Where do you stand on supporting Trump?"  

Who do we say each candidate is? (Hint--ask 5 people and you will get 5 different answers!)

But what if someone asked you what you think of Jesus?  Or where you stand on supporting Jesus?  How would we respond?  Are we prepared to respond?  Is the way we live our lives day in and day out, a response in itself?  Are the words that erupt or gently flow from our lips--a response indicating if we "know" Jesus?

Presidents come and go, time marches on, and we-the-people persevere.  Whatever the results on November 3rd (and the weeks following when they drag out the results), God will still hold executive and supreme control over the world, regardless of the name on the door to the Oval Office.  

And so instead of such a preoccupied focus on what box to check on the ballot, God calls us to check our hearts and refresh our knowledge about Jesus, the candidate that will relieve our guilt, accept us just-as-we-are, and open the door to Heaven for us. But do we know who He is?   And who do we say that He is?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”  15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”  16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. ~Matthew 16:13-18

Peter nailed it.  His answer was clear, concise and could have only been spoken by one who gets who Jesus is.  I want to get Jesus.  Don't you?

The rumors flew about Jesus, because no one had ever seen or heard anyone like Him: "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets" (Matthew 16:14). 

But Peter had gotten to know this "candidate", as much as a mortal man can "get to know" the Son of God, and Jesus was like every prophecy-of-yesterday and every hope-of-tomorrow wrapped up into one man that taught among them and broke bread with them.  How would we have described Him?

"Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Peter's answer is our answer too.  The majesty, power and wonder in Peter's response can be our experience with Jesus too: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16).

There is no question where Peter's allegiance lies, or if his faith is hot or cold.  He has experienced Jesus, and He fully believes in the God-and-Man hybrid that is performing miracles and eating with tax collectors right in his midst.  We can too.  

Peter's answer gives all honor and glory to Jesus, calling Him the Messiah, the Son of the living God.  (Is that how you or I would respond if someone asked us, "What do you think of Jesus?")  

And we can know that Peter's response was pleasing to Jesus because Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. (Matthew 16:17).

And that's the truth, isn't it?  Peter didn't learn who Jesus was from a flier in the mail or a political ad online.  We might be able to read (true and false) information about candidates and others, but intimacy with someone can only truly occur when we get to know them personally and one-on-one.  No one else could have led Peter to "vote" for Jesus in the verbal way that he did: Peter had experienced Christ, and it transformed him. Jesus wants to spend time with us and transform us as well!  Open up your Bible and let Jesus introduce Himself to you today!

And then Jesus blessed Peter and used him to "transform" His church.  The fire that Peter had for Christ was hot and catching, and he spread the word-of-God and the hope-of-Christ like wildfire.  Let's join in in that campaign!   

The rule of Christ will never end--He has no term-limits and He cannot be impeached.  Jesus won the debate with satan for our souls when He took all of our sin upon Him at the cross and paved our way to Heaven.  If we will just believe in Him. (Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" ~Acts 16:31).  

Why do we keep choosing to be led, dismayed and unfulfilled by putting our faith in earthly men and women, politics, vaccines, headline news and substances?  None of these things will ever hold the power (and love) over our lives that the Messiah, the Son of the living God came to impart over us. 

And in the middle of all the (election/Covid/daily routine) ruckus, Jesus is calling out to us, above the din: “But who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15).

Peter's answer is our answer too: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16).

Today, let's get on the campaign for Christ!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com