This is What I Believe

Mark 8: 27-30

“27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”

I once had a political theory professor who would ask, “And what are your thoughts on this?”  If we answered with information that was in the textbook, he would say, “But that is what the author thinks.  What do you think?”  If we answered with information that was in our lecture notes, he would say, “No, that’s what I think.  What is it that you think?”  

On the subject of Christianity, we must all eventually decide for ourselves, in our own hearts and minds, who Jesus is.  We cannot say this is what my parents believed, or this is what I have been told.  

Peter said Jesus is the Messiah.

The question, “Who do you say I am?” is a question for all who would be a disciple of Christ.  We cannot borrow Peter’s answer.  It is a question whose answer lies within us.

It is a question that has to be answered... by each of us.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)