The church billboard sign says Jesus asks who do you say that I am. This is very strange to me in that Jesus is everything. My mind automatically said “Why would they even ask the question? Everyone knows that Jesus is everything. Then I remember the text itself where Jesus is asking the disciples who do you say I am. The question for me then becomes more of what relevance does Jesus have in my life?
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matt 16:13-15 NIV)
Relevance is defined as the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate. Synonyms for this word include applicable and pertinent. So, what relevance, what significance does Jesus have in your life? Who do you say that He is? King, Lord, Redeemer, Sanctifier, Provider? Jesus is all this and so much more. How we see Him depends on our relationship with Him. Over time, I learned that I would see Him in so many different areas of my life as I open myself up to Him more and more. As my trust in Him grew, so did the answer to this question. When I first opened myself up to the possibility Christ in my life, He was simply the Father. Our relationship was that of a parent and child. A dependent child that went to her Father for everything. I couldn’t stand on my own. It was like walking all over again. Now, don’t misunderstand me. We absolutely should go to the Father for all of our needs.
Let me further explain my meaning. I remember this story of a man that was in his house as the flood waters increased. Several people came around to help him. The first came in a jeep, then the second in came by boat and the third was by helicopter. All came to save him, but the man told them all that he was fine and had faith that God would take care of him. When he died and meets God at the pearly gates, he asks why he died. God told him that he had sent a jeep, boat, and helicopter. Moral of the story then, is common sense is not so common. Sometimes we are so deep and profound that we miss the blessings along the way. Missing blessings can miss the opportunities to grow your relationship with God. You are so busy asking for stuff that you are missing what He’s sending and thinking that you are standing on faith by not taking the hands that He extends through those around you. This will stall your relationship with God. Have you ever heard the expression – you can’t see the forest from the trees? This is what happened to the man during the flood. Don’t let it happen to you. God loves us enough to send His love in a multitude of ways. Open your eyes and see what the Lord is doing.