When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 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. Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it.”” Matthew 16:13-18 NLT

Who do you say that Jesus is? Would you answer like Peter? There are lots of ideas out there still 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 upon 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 at Pentecost and in the early church! Not even Peter’s 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 from Jesus’ perspective.

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.

Blessings and joy as we find our identity and purpose in Jesus!