Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

3 March 2025

Reading From Mark 8

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”

—Mark 8:27-30

     It is interesting to me that some thought that Jesus was John the Baptist as they were cousins, perhaps there was a family resemblance.  But Jesus was baptized in water by John and so this seems strange that anyone would think that they were the same person.  Later, Moses and Elijah would appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, symbolic of Him being the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, but Jesus is not Elijah.  He is the ultimate Prophet, and while John the Baptist was a prophet similar to Elijah, it was Peter who answered correctly when Jesus asked His disciples who He was. 

     Peter’s faith and confession in who Jesus is forms the rock that Jesus builds His Church on.  It was not the leadership or personhood of Peter, but rather the trust that he exercised and knowledge that he was given.  Still today, each individual who is born again comes to Christ the same way.  We must believe and confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father. 

To accept Jesus as Messiah is to reject sin and go in His direction.  The Lord is knocking at the door of every human heart, waiting for each one to answer and for everyone the question is the same.  “Who do you say that I am?”  Our spiritual wellbeing, the trajectory of our earthly lives, and our eternal destiny depends on our answer to Him.

“Lord, thank You that Your Holy Spirit is being poured out on all flesh and that whosoever will believe can receive You as Savior and Lord.  Thank You that You want us.  I pray that more and more people will be born again into Your Kingdom and that Your rule will expand upon the Earth.  Send a mighty revival that will wrap around the globe with Your power and love.  In the wonderful Name of Jesus, the Name that is above every name, I pray these things.  Amen.”

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.—Matthew 16:18

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.—Romans 10:9-10

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—I John 1:9