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Son
of the Living God
Matthew
16:13-20
VS.16
"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God.”
When Jesus asked his disciples “But who do you say I
am?” Peter’s answer, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God
(Matthew 16:15-16).” When Saul was confronted by a bright light and a
voice that said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asked
“Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. (Acts 9:3-5)”
Taking these two passages together, we see that
Jesus is the Son of God, but we also see that persecuting other
Christians (people) is the same thing as persecuting Jesus, the Son
of the living God. These two lessons were learned by
Peter and Paul, and that resulted in the transformation of their
lives. This transformation was not a one-time event, but a
continuous and ongoing process. Peter grew in faith, in
boldness to preach the Gospel, but he also grew in Love for all of
God’s people. In Acts 10, Peter is shown that he has to preach to
Gentiles as well. Peter is shown that no one is profane or
unclean (Acts 10:28.) Instead he can say, “I truly understand
that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears
him and does what is right is acceptable to him (Acts 10: 34-35.)”
Saul also undergoes a transformation that is continuous and
progressive. He grows in faith and in love. He expands his mission
work from only Jews to include Gentiles as well.
As these two great disciples of Jesus underwent a
continuous transformation, each and every one of us should
also. Our walk with God should open new revelations to us.
It should result in changes in our lives. It should result
in us being more loving and more inclusive. We need to
understand that loving God means loving and serving others.
Both of these disciples endured a great deal of
suffering for their faith. They encountered hardships and difficulties
that most of us cannot even imagine. Yet their faith in God and
in God’s plan enabled them to sing praises to God in the midst of
their hardship. They followed their Lord, wherever he led
them.
PRAYER
Lord
Jesus, may our faith in you lead to a continuous transformation that
makes us more loving, caring, and serving. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY
Christian
Faith is a continuous transforming faith
Rev. Shibi Abraham, Youth Chaplain,
North East Region
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