Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

In Jesus’ time there prophets and sages, however when he went around demonstrating the kingdom, people did not know what to make of him or could not determine where he was from.  These were the very people who read about the miracles in Egypt, Moses’ rod turning into a snake, the river Nile turning to blood and the mysterious death of the first born of every family in Egypt including the heir to the throne of Egypt who was not covered by the blood of the lamb. So when Jesus came along turning water into wine, driving our evil spirits and demons from people in their locality, they did not know what to make of him.

Those who were religious and new their scripture, thought he must be another prophet, or a Rabbi with special powers or Elijah re-incarnated. So Jesus being intrigued by the disciples’ perception of him, openly asked them the question, who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:27).

Acces to the Kingdom is ours

Some of his disciples said he was John the Baptist or Elijah whilst others said he might even be one of the prophets who had come back. This was an amazing statement from his followers because in the scriptures that they were taught on a daily basis, it categorically states that when a man dies his body goes to the grave and his spirit goes back to God (Eccl. 12:7). So there was a disconnect between what they were taught and what they believed. This is similar to a lot people today. They believe a lot of lies because the culture has convinced them that these lies are truth. So it was left to our man of the moment, Peter, to clarify the situation for us. He jumps to his feet and declares boldly, you are the Messiah, which is the Jewish word for the Greek Christ, the son of the living God.

Today, can we be like Peter and make this declaration? In spite of all the issues he had, he still was able to be used by God to let his fellow disciples know who Jesus was.  So whatever your issue is, ask the Holy Spirit to use you to tell others who the real Jesus is!

 Meditate on Matthew 16:13-20 & Mark 8:27-30.