Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Identify him! That’s exactly what Jesus asked Peter to do.
Matthew 16:15-16
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
In reply, Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah…. Welp, that's a wrap for this devotional.
It would be disappointing if that was all I had to say.
Disappointment was also Peter's response when he heard Jesus would die on the cross. Peter believed Jesus, as the Messiah, would save them from Roman rule. That’s what Peter, and the rest of the Jews, wanted—but Jesus had a different purpose.
Jesus confirming himself as the Son of God would have been a big reveal. They had all heard rumors about who Jesus was—John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet. Peter was confident enough in Jesus to choose the answer not on the paper. I can imagine Jesus giving Peter a pat on the back. “You got it, Peter! You are the rock of the church now, because God revealed this to you.”
Except, right after this big reveal, Jesus started to tell the disciples about his upcoming death and resurrection.
Matthew 16:21-22
21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Pretty disappointing, right?
Peter identified who Jesus is, but dying on the cross was not what Peter thought the Messiah would do. Jesus had a different perspective—and he invites us to look at things differently too.
The key to shifting our perspective on disappointments is identifying who Jesus is and what he did for us. It helps us see what God wants for our lives, instead of just what we want. It isn't easy, but Jesus paid a price for our lives, and knowing who Jesus is helps us see a greater purpose. Even though life might not be going the way we expect, we can trust Jesus will always get his way.
Questions:
What is something you currently want from God?
Why is it important to identify who Jesus is when dealing with disappointment?
How can you shift your perspective and focus on who Jesus is?
Next Steps:
Remind yourself of who God is by filling in these blanks:
- God is:
- God has done:
- God promised:
- God will:
Write your answers somewhere you can look back on when you need a reminder of who God is to you.
Prayer:
God, you are my Savior. I praise you for what you have done for me. Life at times does not go as I expect, but I know you are with me. I am not going to demand more from you, because you have given me so much more. Have your way in my life, God. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 16:33
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
***Do you love to write? Have you ever considered sharing Jesus through your writing? If so, consider writing for the LivingItOut! We are always looking for new writers to share their gifts with our readership. This might be the exact opportunity God is asking you to be open-handed with! To learn more, please contact livingitout@cedarcreek.tv.***
This post was written by Becca Roberts, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.