Who Do You Say I Am?

            Matthew 16:15
           He said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?"

Jesus gathered with His disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi. As they spoke among themselves, Jesus looked at the disciples and asked,
                         "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
                                                                    Matthew 16:13

The disciples told Jesus that men where saying they thought Him to be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus, observing the twelve gathered around, asked what He asks everyone of us;
                         "But who do you say that I am?" 

Have you ever  thought about what you would tell someone if they asked you that question? Who would you say Jesus is?

     The Son of God
        Lord and Savior
           Redeemer of my soul
              Comforter in time of need
                   the Rock I stand on
                      my constant companion
                          peace giver that passes all understanding
                             hope in the midst of despair
                                lifter of my head

Jesus is aware of my every heartache, every trial. Nothing is too hard for Him! He is my strength in times of weakness. Because of who He is, I am willing to die to myself, that He may be lifted up. My greatest desire is that He would be the vine and I would be the branch. Without Christ I was a lost soul, now I am found! My name is written in the Book of Life. I have the promise of spending eternity with Him in heaven. No longer do I live without purpose or direction. In Christ I find my purpose, hope for all my tomorrows, and joy within that only He can give. Jesus is my life!
                   
               Simon Peter answered and said,
    "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
                                                 Matthew 16:16

Who do you say He is?

Refocus

Matthew 14:30
             But when he saw the wind was boisterous,
   he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying,
                                "Lord, save me!"

In the midst of a great storm Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. Realizing it was Jesus, Peter cried out to join Him.
           "Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
             So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out
             of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
                                                        ___Matthew 14:28-29

Imagine how Peter must have felt! Without solid ground beneath his feet, waves billowing all about, he was walking on the water to Jesus! All was well until he took his eyes off Jesus and back on the raging waters. At that moment, Peter lost his focus and fell into the raging waters.

How many times have we done the same thing? We feel we are sinking, our world is caving in around us, and having no idea what to do we cry out to the Lord for help. It is in those times we hear Jesus say to us, as He said to Peter, "Come."
            "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden,
              and I will give you rest."   ___Matthew 11:28

As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus we have hope, a peace that can come only from Him.
              You will keep him in perfect peace,
               Whose mind is stayed on You,
               Because he trusts in You.
                                                       ___Isaiah 26:3

But like Peter, when we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to once again succumb to hopelessness. It is then we need to refocus, look once again to the only One who can carry us to the other side of the storm. As we do, He will reach out to save us and set our feet on solid ground.
               For in time of trouble
               He shall hide me in the pavilion;
               In the secret place of His tabernacle
               He shall hide me;
               He shall set me high upon a rock.
                                                      ____Psalm 27:5