![[Drawing of Jesus and Peter]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s5pvnGaX28va4Bbair81KvUu2QEO0F5gW_UkjvZRywmcXRfN2a6TeXpKJ6Vt_wF1IQm1F2AbXWURxMpgMieJO2LjObgnFii3LT0memBof7VnrIYl9HlckGb09dY4jILXeX=s0-d)
| “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” |
| —Matthew 16:16 |
When you were growing up and a teacher asked your class a question, did you ever hesitate to raise your hand because you weren’t sure you knew the right answer? And, did you ever find one or more of your classmates irritating because no matter what question the teacher asked they always raised their hand to answer?
One aspect of the character development of Hermione Granger, the female supporting protagonist in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories is her persistent hand raising. Hermione always knew the answer to every question one of her professors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry might ask the class. The other students sometimes find Hermione quite annoying, but they also realize that she is very smart, even if she had Muggle parents.
Knowing the right answer and being able and willing to give that answer can become important in life, as well as in school. That’s why one of the key turning points in the Gospels occurs when our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
The Apostle Peter blurts out an answer that changes the course of history for the followers of Jesus. Peter’s answer is recorded in Matthew 16:15-16:
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is as important today as it was 2,000 years ago. God sent His Son to die in our place. God cleansed us from the stain of our sins by covering us with the shed blood of Jesus. God wants to make us His children. An important part of that process occurs when we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.
As we move out into another day, let’s remember that the One who loved us enough to die for us is the very Son of God. He is the One who longs to live and rule in our hearts by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
As we go through this day, let us always be quick to give an answer when someone asks us about Jesus. He is our Savior, Lord, and King. He is the Son of God. He is our Brother and the Lover of our souls.
