United in Christ

November
A Time for Personal Faith and Confession
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20 NKJV)

It is possible to keep an academic distance from Jesus reporting what one religion believes or what some person says. But the time for reporting others' theories is over. Jesus is asking his disciples what they themselves believe. "You've told me what others say about me. But what about you? What do you believe about me?" It's a question that leaves us quite defenseless. We can hem and haw. But there is the question, waiting for us to answer. It is an important question, a vital question, a question that deserves to be answered squarely and honestly. Peter answers for the disciples with simplicity and directness and his answer is profound. "You are the Christ of God."