(unmarked journal entry – matthew 16)

there is the popular argument over Jesus and His claims to His identity…that He was either a lair, a lunatic or the Lord. with all that He said and did He has to be one or the other. He cannot be just a ‘good teacher’ or a social revolutionary. if you say that, then you have to say that He is nuts because of everything He claimed about Himself. and the explanation goes on…

but my question is about us.

who do we say that He is?

if we say that He is Lord, but treat Him otherwise, how do we answer to that? if we say one thing with our mouth, but live a different way, who are we really?

we are either a fool, a fake or faithful. there is no other way to do it. either we’re nuts (fool), or we’re putting on a nice show (fake) or we’re actually living this, this Kingdom life, out (faithful.)

we can’t have it any other way. we can’t say that He is Lord and live like He is not. we cannot say He is Savior and act like we were never saved. We must put the same amount of scrutiny on ourselves with the claims we make, as people put against Him…

there is no in between.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

peter’s confession of Christ is the main part of what we proclaim when we make our public confession of Jesus. and we must answer likewise each day. Jesus asked the disciples very simply “who do people say that I am?” and they responded with the options people were giving at the time. but then He redirects the question to those who have been following Him. He is not asking what ‘the world’ says, but what those who should know Him best think…He isn’t looking for speculation, but what they believe in their heart of hearts. and so He asks “but what about you? who do you say that I am?”

and we need to pay attention to that question every day. who do i (ben) say that He (Jesus) is? what does my life say? what do my actions proclaim? what is the definitive answer to my most basic beliefs?

keep in mind that Jesus wasn’t looking for a ‘sunday school’ answer. He wasn’t out to give a pop quiz, and hand a cookie to everyone who said the right thing. He was looking for a solid answer that defined who they thought He was…and peter’s response was a gift from the Spirit.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

if you have never spoken those words, and meant it from the deepest part of your being, then you have no idea what a relief it is to say it. it isn’t just some man-made creedal statement. it isn’t the password to get into the clubhouse. it is the most basic foundational truth in my life.

watch this if you have a minute: what comes in between begin at 8:10 end at 11:37