27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Devotional
Leaving the region of Bethsaida Jesus now brings His disciples to Caesarea Philippi; a region that will be the northernmost extent of Jesus’ ministry, before His God ordained destiny at Jerusalem (the southernmost) and the cross that awaits Him there. Now it is while they are on the road with Jesus that He asks His disciples two questions ...“Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
That question that Jesus asks His disciples of who they say that He is; is the one question that is above all questions, and which you and I must answer for ourselves. For our response to Jesus’ question will determine our eternal destiny. And in this Jesus’ question about whom do we say He is must be answered by us all in this life. After death the question will not be asked, for God requires our faith and obedience here and now, not then (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Our loyalty to Him through His Son Jesus Christ then must be manifest here and now while we have our breath within us. After death there is no chance for repentance. No chance for faith, either to profess it in the Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others, or to demonstrate it, as the Apostle James said we would if we believe (James 2:14-26) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
Now the Lord Jesus gives us some terrifying glimpses of the afterlife for those who don’t, saying their will weeping and gnashing of teeth then. At least five times in Matthews gospel (Matt. 5:29-30; 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30) and twice in Luke (Luke 13:1-5; 27-28) Jesus warns us of sin, and ultimately unbelief and the terrifying consequences for those who do not repent and believe, saying they will be sent to hell. Saying in that place the worm does not die, nor is the fire quenched (Mark 9:45-48). Nonetheless it is because of that horrible place and God’s deep desire to send no one there, regardless of what they have done, but rather to see them restored back to what we were all created to be, in relationship with God. That is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross to pay for our sins and restore to us back to a right relationship with Himself. And having atoned (i.e. paid) for our sins and transgressions on the cross Jesus rose from the dead so that we might never again be subject to death, which is the consequences of sin (Rom. 6:23), but rather have eternal life by His Spirit dwelling within us when we believe in Him and confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 1:13-14). For when anyone sees themselves as they really are; sinful and separated from God, and they see Jesus Christ as He really is; Holy and Loving and Kind (Ps. 86:5) being sent from God as His Christ into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17) and they put their faith in Him, they will be saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Rom. 10:11-13
Salvation begins with a humble request for help, for God’s mercy and grace when we acknowledge our sins to only One who can forgive us of them and heal us from them. Have you than come to believe in Lord Jesus Christ? If so have you confessed Him publically as your Lord and Savior? If you have not why not take your stand for the One who came to die for you so that you might have life, abundant life here and now, and life eternal. Invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior then tell someone that you have. For experiencing new life begins by believing in God’s Son. Everything else is just an outworking of having personally received God’s love and grace for you by believing in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Devotional
Leaving the region of Bethsaida Jesus now brings His disciples to Caesarea Philippi; a region that will be the northernmost extent of Jesus’ ministry, before His God ordained destiny at Jerusalem (the southernmost) and the cross that awaits Him there. Now it is while they are on the road with Jesus that He asks His disciples two questions ...“Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
That question that Jesus asks His disciples of who they say that He is; is the one question that is above all questions, and which you and I must answer for ourselves. For our response to Jesus’ question will determine our eternal destiny. And in this Jesus’ question about whom do we say He is must be answered by us all in this life. After death the question will not be asked, for God requires our faith and obedience here and now, not then (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Our loyalty to Him through His Son Jesus Christ then must be manifest here and now while we have our breath within us. After death there is no chance for repentance. No chance for faith, either to profess it in the Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others, or to demonstrate it, as the Apostle James said we would if we believe (James 2:14-26) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
Now the Lord Jesus gives us some terrifying glimpses of the afterlife for those who don’t, saying their will weeping and gnashing of teeth then. At least five times in Matthews gospel (Matt. 5:29-30; 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30) and twice in Luke (Luke 13:1-5; 27-28) Jesus warns us of sin, and ultimately unbelief and the terrifying consequences for those who do not repent and believe, saying they will be sent to hell. Saying in that place the worm does not die, nor is the fire quenched (Mark 9:45-48). Nonetheless it is because of that horrible place and God’s deep desire to send no one there, regardless of what they have done, but rather to see them restored back to what we were all created to be, in relationship with God. That is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross to pay for our sins and restore to us back to a right relationship with Himself. And having atoned (i.e. paid) for our sins and transgressions on the cross Jesus rose from the dead so that we might never again be subject to death, which is the consequences of sin (Rom. 6:23), but rather have eternal life by His Spirit dwelling within us when we believe in Him and confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 1:13-14). For when anyone sees themselves as they really are; sinful and separated from God, and they see Jesus Christ as He really is; Holy and Loving and Kind (Ps. 86:5) being sent from God as His Christ into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17) and they put their faith in Him, they will be saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Rom. 10:11-13
Salvation begins with a humble request for help, for God’s mercy and grace when we acknowledge our sins to only One who can forgive us of them and heal us from them. Have you than come to believe in Lord Jesus Christ? If so have you confessed Him publically as your Lord and Savior? If you have not why not take your stand for the One who came to die for you so that you might have life, abundant life here and now, and life eternal. Invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior then tell someone that you have. For experiencing new life begins by believing in God’s Son. Everything else is just an outworking of having personally received God’s love and grace for you by believing in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
No comments:
Post a Comment