Who do you say I am?

“Who do you say that I am?”

This question has resounded in my thoughts the past many days. Amid not feeling well and other situations that have my mind running a million miles per hour, there could not be a more significant question. You see, everything I am and everything I believe lives in response to this.

The trouble with people is we often live our lives from the wrong starting point. We begin with self, rather than with God. We ask the wrong questions and from the wrong perspective. We live in the “if God” rather than “but God.” Feelings, circumstances, or even opposition cannot change who God is because He is unchanging. John describes Jesus as the faithful witness, “who is and who was and who is to come.” (Revelation 1:4) Even if we choose not to believe in Him, it doesn’t change who He is. He is God with or without our confession.

But everything changes when we see Him as He is.

And when we encounter Him, we can’t but see who we are.

When Peter encountered Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, the text says, “he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’” When Peter saw the magnitude of God, he also came face-to-face with his unworthiness. But Jesus did not leave Peter there. Instead, Jesus said, “do not be afraid,” and asked Peter to follow after Him. (Luke 5:8-11)

And Peter was forever changed.

Following after Jesus changes everything. Jesus later asked his disciples the same question above, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) After having been an eye witness and faithful companion of Jesus in His ministry, Peter boldly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s understanding of this truth and willingness to follow and obey led Jesus to declare in response, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” Peter’s surrender changed the course of His life. Sure, he would still mess up. He would be impulsive, put his foot in his mouth, and even deny Jesus - but he would also go on to risk it all - beginning the church, enduring intense persecution, and ultimately being crucified for his faith in Christ.

Peter couldn’t remain the same. Nor should we.

That’s what I want you to hear today, friends. Jesus is bigger than anything you are facing. He wants to hold it and hold you. But that requires your surrender.

I am reminded of Peter’s words in Acts 4:20 after he was arrested and commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Most people probably would have cowered to fear. But not Peter. He boldly declared, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Can we also declare this? Can we say - no matter what - that God is God and nothing changes that?

When we have this kind of confidence in who God is, nothing else matters.

Not our past, not our current troubles, and not what is to come. We can live without fear because we know God holds it all. We can live free in knowing we have ultimate victory. It doesn’t mean we won’t feel. Though I have felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and troubled recently, I can rest in knowing that God is bigger than all of those things. I can trust God with right now. With today. That is all He has called me to right now.

“Who do you say I am?”

You are God, and that is the only confidence I need.

*I was reminded of this song as I was writing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwegiATjmq0