Through The Bible in a Year - July 17, 2026

"He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'" - Matthew 16:15-17

Jesus had already asked what other people were saying about Him. The answers were varied: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets. Good guesses. Even flattering. But wrong.

Then Jesus turned to His disciples and made it personal: "But who do YOU say that I am?"

It's the most important question ever asked. Not "What do people say?" Not "What does the culture say?" Not "What do your parents say, or your church, or your theology textbook?" But you. Personally. Right now. Who is He to you?

Peter's answer is everything: "You are the Christ—the anointed One, the long-promised Messiah. The Son of the living God."

Not just a teacher. Not just a prophet. Not merely a moral example. Not a genie in a bottle. Not a dancing bear on a chain who performs signs on demand.

Jesus is the Christ. The Son of the living God.

Jesus isn't playing the fame game. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came demanding a sign—after He'd already healed the blind, fed 5,000, stilled a storm, and cast out demons—He refused. What were the Jewish leaders really asking? What the human heart always does: "What have you done for me lately?"

There's a difference between wanting Jesus for what He provides and knowing Jesus for who He is. The Pharisees wanted a performance. Peter declared a person. Jesus isn't a cosmic vending machine or an entertaining magician. He is the Christ—the one who died for your sin, rose from the dead, and holds the keys of death and Hades.

Respond: Answer the question honestly: Who do you say Jesus is?

Is He a helpful addition to your life—someone you turn to when things get hard but set aside when things are comfortable? Is He a set of rules to follow to get earthly blessings from God? Is He a vending machine you approach with prayer requests?

Or is He the Christ—the Son of the living God—to whom you have surrendered everything, whose death paid a price you couldn't pay, whose resurrection secures a future you couldn't earn? Only when he is the Christ to whom you owe your eternity because of his sacrifice for you, will you truly know the blessings of uniting your heart to his (and having Him unite His to yours) forever.

This week, write out your answer to Jesus' question. Don't write what you know is the "right" churchy answer. Write the honest one. And then ask Him to make the true answer – that He is the Lord of the Universe who gave Himself to save your eternal soul – real in your daily life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You're asking me directly: Who do I say You are? I don't want to give You the Sunday school answer. I want to say and believe the true one. You are the Christ—the Son of the living God. Not a vending machine. Not a dancing bear who performs on demand. You are not a genie in a bottle. You are the one who came to die for my sin, who rose from the dead, who conquered hell itself. Help me live like I actually believe that – help me to live for the One I believe died for me. Make this confession the foundation of everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.