“Who do people say that I am?”

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. Mark 8:27-30 ESV.

Who is the one and only true God to you? This is the question that Jesus asked of his disciples and of you. We know Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ.” We also know that no one can say “Jesus is Lord” without the Spirit of God being in them.

In our world today, we hear the statement that many people are spiritual or religious. To me, if they don’t believe in the one true God, then what do they believe in? Is it a man-made God that they can go to in times of trouble? There are many false gods out there today and our language speaks too many of them. What has God called all Christians to do – proclaim His Word, which is taken from the Bible, to all people!

There are so many people out there, who do not have the true hope of eternal life, but rather a man-made hope which is based on them doing good. What is wrong with this, you may ask? It simply leaves out God. It is based on them attaining their own salvation by what they do, say, and think. Our salvation does not come from what we do, say, and think; but rather it comes from what God has done for us. He has taken our sin upon himself and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. We are not capable of this, for we are sinful creatures and natural enemies of God. It is only by God’s grace that we have been saved!

Throughout my life I have heard so many people say, “I am a good person and so I will go to heaven.” We are all unworthy of God’s forgiveness and our good works are like filthy rags in the sight of God. Yes, there are people who believe they are doing good, and they look as if their good works are going to save them. We believe and confess that our good works do not come from us, but come from the Holy Spirit that is in us.

Who do you say that I am? In Jesus time they looked at him as a deliverer from Roman oppression, a healer of diseases, and as a bread King. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world, and this is true. All of this world we know of, will pass away and be destroyed when Christ comes again. This world has no hope for us, for if we believe in this world our hope is destroyed.

Who do you say that I am? Just look at the world’s religions today. I think there is no other religion out there that simply tells us that God has done and completed all the work for our salvation and eternal life. All of the other religions have us doing something to save ourselves. Christ has done it all on the cross, he has taken all of our sins and died for them. We have put on Christ and our baptism and receive the helper, the Holy Spirit. When God looks at us he does not see our sin but rather what Christ has done for us. It is Christ, who was raised from the dead, that gives us eternal life. This is what we need to proclaim to the world. Jesus died for our sins and risen giving us eternal life and salvation, the work of Christ is finished. We are no longer to keep silent as he told his disciples.

Do not fear how you will communicate this message to family, friends, enemies, and the world. God will lead you as you proclaim Him!

Walk each day in God’s forgiveness as you look forward to being with him eternally. Amen.