Today’s scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
Think of a big multi-colored beach ball, the ones with the different colored panels on it. If I ask you to hold it up to the sun with the ball touching your nose, what color will you see? White, blue, red, yellow? If I asked you what color your beach ball is you might say red, but someone else looking at the same ball may say blue and someone else may say yellow. Everyone is looking at the same object and seeing something different. That is how I feel about our scripture reading for today.
Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” The disciples think before answering and start recalling different things they have heard others say about this Christ. It seems that many had speculated about whom they believed this Christ to be. And just as we experience today, it seems that almost everyone had it wrong .
However, the next question from Jesus is the really important one. Who do you say that I am? The disciples had the benefit and experience of being close to Christ and, presumably, should have the best idea of who this man was. Peter responds, “Thou art the Christ, son of the living God.”
It seems rather easy to allow others to dictate to us what to believe about Christ. Everyone has an opinion one way or another about what is right or what is wrong. What rules should be strictly enforced and what rules can be overlooked. Some people act as if they know exactly who will get to heaven and who will not. If you are busy listening to what others tell you about your personal relationship with Christ and trying to conform to what “they” say, you may very well feel like you are going crazy!
As believers in the risen Christ and people who desire to be close to him, Christ is most concerned with who you say that He is.
Thought for the day: What is your personal experience and testimony about Christ? That is most important!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.