As Jesus and the disciples were on the way to the village of Caesarea Philippi, which is in the Northeast of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked them this question, "Who do people say that I am?" Some of the disciples answered, "John the Baptist," and others said, "Elijah," but others, "one of the prophets." Then Jesus asked them another question, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Then Jesus began to teach them about His suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter did not like what Jesus was teaching about His suffering and death, so he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. Jesus then rebuked Peter and said to him, "Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on God's interests but on man's."(Mark 8:27-33).
Peter was absolutely correct when he answered that Jesus was the Christ or the Messiah. Christ is a Greek title that means "anointed one." And the Hebrew word of Christ is Messiah. The title means that Jesus is the anointed one, the Savior. However, the disciple thought that the Messiah would come to save them from Roman occupation and restore Israel to its glorious state again. So Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus was teaching them about His suffering, death, and resurrection. But Jesus rebuked Peter because he acted like Satan in man's interest instead of God's interests. Jesus did not come to restore Israel from the Roman occupation, but He came to save the world from sin by paying the penalty of sin through His death on the cross. And those who believe in Him will be saved and receive eternal life. Jesus did not come to save His life but to give His life for us.
Let us be encouraged today that Jesus came to save us from our sins. He came to rescue us and not to judge us. So no matter what we are going through now, we have a Savior who is for us. Let us trust Him and follow His leading because He is our Savior.
Ask yourself these questions: Why did Jesus come? Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ or the Messiah? How should I live knowing and believing that Jesus is my Savior?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to come to this world to save me from my sin. Thank you, Jesus, for paying the penalty of my sin through your sacrificial death on the cross. Thank you for giving your life for me. Please help me to continue to trust you in whatever I am facing today. Thank you for being my Savior. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.