Who do you believe Jesus is?

And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." Luke 9:18-20

Little has changed today. Many still regard Jesus as a great prophet and teacher. Some would even call Him the Christ (Messiah) of God but then deny the necessity of the cross. But those to whom the Spirit of God has revealed the truth recognize Jesus as the Christ of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, who came into this world to go to the cross and suffer and die and make atonement for the sins of the world.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Do you believe He is the Messiah of God? If so, what do you believe His role is as the Messiah?

Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." When Peter rebuked Jesus and said this would never happen to Him, Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men" (Matt. 16:23; cf. 16:13ff.).

And on the mount when Jesus appeared in glory, what did He discuss with Moses and Elijah? Jesus "spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." Peter and the disciples were ready to stay on the mount with Jesus and view His glory, but Jesus came to go down and die on the cross for the sins of the world -- to be condemned and forsaken of His Father for the sins of all. Only then would He be glorified.

We too may wish to stay on the mountain with Jesus in glory, but we have work to do below -- to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. Through the Scriptures, we have seen Jesus in glory. We have heard the words of the Father: "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" But we must come down from the mount, strengthened in the assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father, and that through His death and resurrection, we have pardon, forgiveness and the glories of heaven. We are called to follow Jesus and do the work He would have us do that others too might know Him and trust in Him for salvation.

Glorious Jesus, Son of God, we thank You for revealing Your glory but then going to the cross to redeem us. Strengthen us through Your Word and grant that we take up our crosses and follow You, bearing witness to the truth and calling upon all to repent and trust in You. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

Editorial on 02/10/2016