Follow The King

As we spoke about the word “fear” last week, it doesn’t connote running from God because of dread but running to God, clinging to Him, loving, and serving Him. The fear or reverence of the Lord is our response to His love, His majesty, holiness, as well as His wrath. This kind of fear is not repulsive. It doesn’t drive us away. It draws us in. More than ever, we as God’s people need to live in the fear of the Lord. The Fear of the Beginning of wisdom.

For today, the first Sunday of 2025, I have been asking the Lord, what does He want to say to us as His church? Where is He leading us? As we continue to open up His word He will continue to unfold His plan. What I have found interesting in this day and age, that even though fewer and fewer people are attending church, hunger for truth, meaning and purpose is increasing - in fact in 2024 Bible sales have gone through the roof. This is why it is more important than ever that the Church be a healthy place where people can come, grow in the Lord and in their faith.

Let’s turn to Matt 16:13-18

13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

As Jesus was traveling to the northern region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples: (SL 3)

Who do people say that the Son of Man is?

Based on His teaching, miracles, and way of life, the word on the street was He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. All of these descriptions of Jesus were partially correct as He was a prophet. To them He was like a lion, as with all prophets - they have a roar about them. Jesus roared against injustices and turned over the tables of hypocrisy.

How do people view Jesus today? For some, He is the opposite of a lion and they view Him as a lamb - a meek social reformer, a gentle moralist, a wise teacher, or a sympathetic healer. He is both though, isn’t He? He is a lion and a lamb. He is a prophet and He is a King.

Various world religions would tell us that Jesus was the enlightened one, one of many prophets, a good man, a little god, Jesus was a holy man and wise teacher with an aspect of divinity. Some see Him as a fanatic itinerant teacher with many followers. The world sees him as many things but not for who He truly is.

In verse 15 Jesus asks,

But who do you say that I am?

Why did Jesus ask these questions when He already knew their thoughts? He was provoking them with questions to reveal their level of their faith. Are you sticking with the conventional wisdom about Me? Or do you have another, more insightful answer? What is your conviction?

Simon Peter, speaking for the group said, “You are the Christ (the King), the Son of the living God.” Peter adds the adjective “living,” a characteristically Jewish way of referring to God to distinguish Him from lifeless idols and also a reminder that only Yahweh has life in Himself which He can impart to others.

If Jesus asked you this question, how would you answer?

We could all give theologically correct answers and describe Jesus as the second Person in the Trinity - all powerful, perfect, holy, healer, redeemer, etc. These may all be true descriptions of who Jesus is but is this who He really is in our hearts? We can pore over the Bible, questioning and analyzing who Jesus was… but when His life changes us, His Word begins poring over our lives and analyzing us.

Why is the question about who Jesus is so important? How we answer moves our lives, ministries, and destinies in one direction or another.

Is Jesus only a crutch or is He really our King? As Tim Keller said: “We need a king. We all (whether we want to admit or not) serve something or somebody. Let Jesus be your King.” In other words, treat Jesus as the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient King that He is because if we believe He is who He says He is, we will trust Him to hear our prayers and answer them in the best way and in His perfect timing. (Roland’s testimony about God’s answer to prayer.