Very complimentary answers...he might be one of the prophets returned to life...Elijah, Jerimiah. Or maybe John the Baptist. Pretty cool.
"But who do you say that I am?" he asked them. Matthew 16:15
We (I) sure do squirm when we have to answer that direct question in public, don't we?
Jesus didn't ask, "who do you believe that I am?" He asked, "who do you say that I am."
It should be the same answer, right? We say what we believe. Not just at church on Sunday. Anywhere.
Timothy said to be straightforward "when convenient and not convenient." 2Tim 4:2
But somehow all sorts of prefaces slip into the mix..."well, I can only speak for myself..." and, "I realize there are many different paths to the truth out there..."
It's because the stark, unprefaced answer--that we should give without shame or embarrassment of our spiritual diversity, is so far off the perceived culturally acceptable mark.
Simon Peter answered clearly, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Matthew 16:16
Peter said that immediately following Jesus' question. Jesus asked, Peter answered. No lead up or dilution.
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
What do you believe?
What do you say?
