“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, by My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”” Matthew 16:13-18 NKJV

The Sea of Galilee on a foggy morning, where Peter was a fisherman.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Would you answer like Peter? There are lots of ideas out there on who Jesus is: a great teacher, a prophet, an important historical figure, a holy man, a messenger of God… a blasphemer, a criminal. But Peter got it right!

If we get this most important question right; that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, and believe with our hearts, then we have begun that wonderful salvation journey. Our personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son through the Holy Spirit.

But there’s something else I want you to catch in these verses. After Simon Peter correctly identified Jesus, Jesus identified Peter. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.” Peter was the same man but now he saw himself from Jesus’ perspective. Peter clearly sees his new calling, his new purpose, his new role. Peter, the rock, went on to do amazing things in the early church! (Not even his denial could change his identity.)

This week I challenge each of us to look to Jesus for our identity, our purpose, our calling, our life path. Let’s refuse to label ourselves with what we can’t do or aren’t good at. And let’s not accept the confining labels that others might put on us. Let’s allow the Spirit to work through us and lead us to what Jesus calls us to do. Let’s see ourselves as Jesus sees us.

We are:  loved, forgiven, redeemed, children of the most-high God, faithful servants, strengthened, freed, comforted, guided, blessed, delivered, called, healed, and cherished.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we look to Jesus for our identity and with Him discover who we can be.