What do you believe about Jesus?

"'But what about you?' He asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" (Matthew 16:15, NIV)

This was the question Jesus asked His disciples after they'd shared what "others" thought about Him and who He was.

It is a question that's also very close to my heart this Christmas season because the answer to it—your answer to it —is very, very important.

I imagine Jesus walking with His disciples. They were talking amongst themselves, as we do with our family and friends around the dinner table during the holidays. It's not uncommon, after all, for us to talk about other people and ask each other the question, "What do you think of him (or her)?" But Jesus turns it around, and instead of being interested in what the "others" are saying, He directly asks, "What about you? Who do you say I am?"

Of course, Jesus knew the disciples' thoughts. In Matthew 9:4, we read, "Jesus knew what they were thinking…" (NLT). He didn't ask because He didn't know…He asked so that the disciples would ask themselves how they saw Him and who He was to them personally.

What you believe about Jesus changes the way you look at life. It determines the whole course of your future!

The answer shot out of Peter's mouth: "...'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'" (Matthew 16:16, NIV) Jesus took great joy in Peter's realization. He responds to Peter by saying, "...'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.'" (Matthew 16:17, NIV)

"Messiah" means "the promised redeemer." Perhaps this year has been full of sorrows for you, and the future also seems uncertain. Maybe you're having trouble seeing Jesus as the promised Savior because of the pain you've experienced. If so, I invite you to ask God the Father in heaven to reveal it to you, just as He did to Simon Peter.

How do you ask? Through prayer! Ask with the assurance that God hears you and will open the door to you. (See Matthew 7:7.) Why? Because He loves you! (See John 3:16.)

Yes, "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come" to you, to me…to the whole world!

You are a miracle!

Déborah