Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Mark 8:27-29 

There it was: the disciples’ big test. They had been listening and watching Jesus all that time, but had they learned anything? They had witnessed Jesus feed thousands with one child’s lunch. They had seen demons casted out, lepers healed, and the dead raised. So Jesus questioned them: “Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? (Mark 8:17-19) Here they were, alone with Jesus: no pushy crowds, no angry religious leaders, just the twelve. Although they still did not fully understand who Jesus is and what He was about to do, they passed the test. They knew enough to prepare them for the big event. Their final exam was yet to come: the arrest, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of their Lord.

What about you? Do you understand, acknowledge, and accept who Jesus is? Do you know that Jesus is your identity-giver, light-bringer, earth-shaper, planet-placer, life-maker, man-creator, star-raiser, grace-giver, soul-filler, life-saver, heaven-builder, darkness-ender, humanity-joiner, future-securer, wisdom-bestower, sin-bearer, ransom-payer, wound-healer, water-walker, devil-beater, shame-killer, guilt-ender, mountain-mover, covenant-keeper, fear-calmer, demon-clearer, mess-fixer, hand-holder, path-maker, nail-taker, gift-offerer, cross-endurer, stone-mover, disciple-teacher, death-conquerer, chain-breaker, storm-calmer, burden-bearer, relationship-mender, purity-restorer, lost-finder, dead-raiser, debt-payer, sea-splitter, peace-bringer, glory-displayer, life-transformer, sorrow-ender, heart-holder, truth-writer, blood-shedder, world-enlightener, prayer-answerer, child-adorer, miracle-performer, purpose-accomplisher, worry-crusher, prisoner-freer, crown-wearer, and more!

So when Jesus asks you, “Who do YOU say I am?” Now you know! He is your Messiah,

and OH so much more!

You are loved!