Thursday, August 20, 2026

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 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. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then He strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20)

To tell the truth, I’m glad I wasn’t there when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” I would have been horribly embarrassed. I mean, what if I guessed and I got it wrong? What if Jesus said to me, “Um, no, that’s not who I am, sorry”?

It doesn’t look like Peter had those doubts. He just says it right out: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus is delighted! At least one of His disciples has been watching Him closely enough that he’s figured it out with the help of God the Father. And that’s important, because Jesus’ disciples really need to know who Jesus is, before they move on to the next lesson: What Jesus has come to do.

It makes a difference, doesn’t it? Because Jesus has come to suffer and die—yes, and to be raised from the dead three days later. He has come to make an offering of Himself, to take away all the evil of the world—and to rescue God’s people from the power of death. He has come to be our Savior.

And it’s important to know just who your Savior is. Because it’s one thing if the person rescuing you is a fellow creature—an angel or some other created being. That would be amazing enough. But when you realize that God Himself has come to save you—that the Person hanging on that cross is not just an ordinary human being, but the Son of God, who is One God with the Father and the Spirit—well, that just blows me away. Who am I, that God should suffer for me? Who am I, that the Christ, the Son of God, should take my evil upon Himself, and give me His own goodness, holiness, and innocence in return?

Whoever I am, I am His. I am His, and you are His too, if you trust in Him. He came to make us His own, because He loves us.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You for making me Your own. You are mine and I am Yours; what could be more wonderful than that? Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Would things be different if God had sent an angel to save you, instead of coming Himself?
2. God calls you to be His own. He truly wants you. What do you think of His choice?
3. Are you willing that He should have you? Why or why not?

Today's Readings:

Psalms 87-88
1 Corinthians 12

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