News Flash...Peter Declares that Jesus is the Messiah

News Flash...Peter Declares that Jesus is the Messiah In today's reading, Jesus asks His disciples two questions: "Who do men say I am"; and "Who do you say that I am". It's one of those probing questions that we ourselves need to take time out and examine. Our response is so important to both our lives on earth, and the life to come. Who did people say Jesus was? John the Baptist - King Herod thought this when he heard about Jesus) Elijah - people misunderstanding Malachi's prophecy (Mal 4:5) Jeremiah - some people expected Jeremiah to be resurrected in advance of the Messiah's birth One of the prophets - risen again, as mentioned in Luke (Lk 9:19) Peter got it right though...he said, "You are the Christ" (Mk 8:27), the Son of the Living God (Mt 16:16). Jesus' identity was quite diverse during his earthly ministry. And to this day, it is not much different. Some skeptics say the whole story is a fabrication, that He never existed. Some say he was simply a good man, a good teacher, a healer. Many believe He was a prophet of God, but not the Son of God. "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." - C. S. Lewis We have seen what people said about Jesus: then during His early ministry; now by skeptics and believers. But the key question is: who do you say Jesus is? Your answer will determine your eternity. Your answer will determine how you live your life today. I pray that you, like Peter get it right: Jesus Christ, son of the living God. We praise your abiding guidance, O God, for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah, to model for us the way of love for the whole universe. We offer these prayers of love on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors, on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures. Going deeper: Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38