Teaching Notes

Who Am I to you?

But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. " - Mark 8:29


Jesus asked his disciples a question.  He asked them, who do people say I am? They responded and said, some say you are John the Baptist and some say you are Elias and others one of the prophets from before. Jesus then asked them, who do you say I am?
 
Peter answered and said, you are the Christ. This was not a long interaction, but a vital one for you and I to understand. Jesus initial question of who do they say I am and the response from Peter are important for believers to understand if we are going to walk worthy of our calling as disciples of Christ.
 
In Jesus' day they thought he was someone else. They thought he was John the Baptist that had been beheaded come back. Some thought he was one of the prophets. The problem was they were wrong and no one thought he was who he was, the Son of the Living God. They did not acknowledge that he was the promised Messiah that God had sent to earth to save his people.
 
This is true in our day. Some believe that Jesus was a good teacher, some believe he was a prophet that came to pave the way for another messiah. Whatever they believe about Jesus if it is not that he is the Son of the Living God, they are missing the mark. Many today still do not believe they must accept Jesus as Lord in order to be with God because they do not really know who he is.
 
Jesus' question turned from what the world thought about him to what his own disciples thought. It's true for us today. Jesus' turns to you and I and ask who do you say I am or more personally "Who Am I to you?"
 
As disciples of Christ we must believe Jesus is who he says he is. We cannot believe what the world tries to tell us he is, but in fact believe what his word reveals him to be. He tells us he is the Christ, the Son of God. He is the one that died for our sins and intercedes on our behalf.
 
We cannot believe the world's view that he is simply a good man, and that there are many paths and many ways to reach God. We cannot believe that any behavior or actions are suitable to present to Christ because, well he loves us and he'll take whatever we give him. He revealed himself as the Son of God and that His Father is a holy and righteous God that requires a Holy and righteous people.
 
When Christ comes to you and ask, "Who am I to you?" How will you answer? Will you answer and say to Him that he is your Lord and savior and that he is Christ in your life? Or will you answer like the world?
 
Prayer: Lord today help us so that we can answer this question with an affirmative answer that you are the Christ. Not simply because we said it from our mouths, but that our lives reveal that you are Christ dwelling in our hearts. Lord today help us release ourselves in your hand so that we can learn who you are, as you teach us what our identity is in you. Amen.