Who do you say am I?

Wednesday 3-1-17, Modesto, California

Today we read Num 28 – 29 and Mark 8

S = Scripture,  O = Observation,  A = Application,  P = Prayer,  SOAP for the soul.

S. Mark 8:27-30 As they were walking along, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets." Then Jesus asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah." But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. NLT

O. Jesus has walked throughout Galilee, Judea and even Samaria accompanied by his disciples for close to 3 years now. They have heard His messages, probed Him for answers about His parables and witnessed His miracles. Now He hands out the exam paper to His class. It has only two questions on the page. “Write below who do other people say that I am?  And: Who do you personally say that I am?” Everybody got in on the first question with multiple answers. But Peter turns in his exam paper immediately… while others are still thinking. He had already made up his mind, “Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt 16)

A. My eternal salvation rests on how I answer the last question on that exam. Others may answer, “a great man”, “an excellent teacher”, “a prophetic voice”, “a godly man.” But the Apostle John writes: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. (1 John 5:1) NLT It is imperative that I get this answer correctly.

P. Lord Jesus, You descended from heaven to be born into a wicked, cruel world. You came to show us God the Father. Through Your Holy written Word my eyes have seen You in action. I have believed and witnessed personally your powerful miracle-working power. I have been taken to the scene of Your cross.  I have entered and looked around inside Your empty tomb. Now I must confidently declare to a dying world that You are their only hope, the Christ, the Son of the Living God! That declaration both saves me and offers salvation to others. Amen.

Ralph