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When God Was Recognized By Peter
Brian Mashburn
March 1, 2015
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When God Was Recognized By Peter
After 2½ years of Hollywood-worthy adventure and training with his disciples - chock full of near death experiences, edge-of-your-seat intensity, heart-gripping sacrifice, "you'd-never-believe-it" miracles, and shoot-your-arms-up joy - Jesus is ready to take an inventory of how well he has done.
Do his followers get it? Do they grasp what is at hand, and who is in their midst? Have they understood enough from what they have seen and heard and known in Jesus to really put themselves "out there" with him?
We are just months out from the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus knows it's coming, but his team doesn't. He needs to start letting them in on it, but first, he needs to secure their confidence in his identity.
Up to now, he has challenged them to leave their lives as they knew them and walk closely with him. To follow him as their Rabbi, or teacher, just as any Rabbi would invite a following. But now, he is about to unveil to them a part of his calling that will cost them much more than the disciples of a typical Rabbi, much more. Maybe even their lives.
To hear what was coming, let alone stay faithful to Jesus when it comes, they would need conviction. An immovable trust in Jesus, a deep trust, stronger than any can be placed upon a mere man, needed to be present within them.
Had he done enough? Had they faith enough?
It was time to find out. And so today, Jesus turns to the Twelve and asks the same question that he is asking of you: "Who do you say that I am?"