Sand Mountain Sermonette 51
Matthew 16:13, 15; John 14:6; Matthew 16:16
The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking the disciples, saying, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ [The disciples offered various responses; See Matthew 16:14], ‘But who do you say that I am?’” Matthew 16:13, 15.
I will never forget the third grade. My teacher, Mrs. Johnson was a friend of the family having lived for many years in Hustleville, Alabama, where my mom grew up. Early on, Mrs. Johnson assigned me to be the referee/overseer for our class’s kickball games we played out on the playground during recess and often, she would come outside to watch us play. Many years later, my mom told me that Mrs. Johnson once said to her while I was her student, “Jeanine, Louie is a natural born leader.” Well, mother told my dad what Mrs. Johnson had said that afternoon after he had come home from work to which he replied, “Jeanine, don’t you think he’s probably just a little bit bossy?”
Some have said there are different types of leadership styles, similar to grammatical punctuation marks. The “bossy” do-this-don’t-do-that style could be compared to the period (.) whereas the charismatic leader could be characterized by the exclamation mark (!). But one has said the true leader could be characterized by the question mark (?) “because that symbol is bent in humility.”
The day Jesus was with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi, and after asking them what “the people” were saying regarding who He was, he asked his disciples the most important question they, or any one of us, would ever be responsible for answering in in this lifetime: ‘But who do you say that I am?’” Matthew 16:15.
The reality is this: the world-system in which you and I live will always treat Jesus Christ, the humble Son of God who died on a cross so that you and I can live” in a pluralistic fashion and persuasion. People will always be looking for the latest poll information when it comes to Jesus and therefore, the “people” will always be giving their various opinions on who Jesus is. But Jesus is not asking you who you think the people think He is, He is asking you for a personal conviction on your part as to who you think He is: one of many ways to heaven or the only way truth and life! In discussing heaven with his disciples one day, Jesus made the most exclusive statement he ever made, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” John 14:6.
In a world that offers so many ways to God as well as denying that He exists; I pray your heart will be drawn to the one true Jesus who is the only way to eternal life and to God, the ultimate truth because He always spoke the truth, and the only way to eternal life with God rather that eternal separation from Him. Jesus spoke these words boldly, lovingly, clearly, and succinctly to His disciples so they could know the one true way to God and to experience the peace that only He can provide. [Read of Peter’s response to Jesus’ personal question in Matthew 16:16]. Will this be your response dear one, today?
Pastor Louie