Daily Devotion, January 30, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 16:13-18.

In this passage, Jesus had taken his apostles away to the beautiful Caesarea Philippi to spend some private time with them. His first question, asking who the people are saying he is, was a factual and rather easy question. The apostles reported the false identities people were associating with Jesus. Then Jesus asked them a much more pointed question, “Who do you say I am?” This required them to pause and reflect about his real identity.

Peter was known for acting and speaking quickly, often giving the wrong answer. But this time, his answer that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), the Son of the living God, was spot on. When Jesus affirmed Peter’s answer and said that this answer was not revealed to him by flesh and blood, Jesus was not being critical of Peter’s human intellect. Because of Peter’s faith, God had revealed the true nature and identity of Jesus to him! It was in response to this show of faith that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock” and announced that he would build his church on this rock. This affirmation would change Peter’s identity among the apostles and would stay with him as he led the church. 

Personal Worship Option:

Think about how you are most often known by others. Are you primarily known for your profession or occupation, for your role in your family, for your faith, for what? Pray that God will lead you to be known for what you desire to be known and remembered for.