Do you know who Jesus is? If you've read through the scriptures or studied him, you know that he has many names. However, for right now, we're going to focus on just one name of Jesus. One that is the most important.
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Jesus is the Christ
When Jesus came into the world, most did not know or understand who he actually was. They thought he was a prophet, or a heretic. Many also looked to him simply as one who could heal them of their physical ailments, and cast out devils.
But Jesus' disciple Peter knew who Jesus truly was. Here is the conversation between Jesus and his disciples about who people said Jesus was:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matt 16:13-17, KJV)
Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus wasn't just another prophet. He was the Christ, meaning, the anointed one (Strong's Concordance).
What it means that Jesus is the Christ
Peter knew, through the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ. Not just another prophet or teacher, but the one he and the other disciples had been waiting for. They knew that his coming had been foretold, and the recognized him when he came.
As the Christ, Jesus is the Son of God. He was sent into this world to save all humankind from their sins. Because of him, all will be resurrected, and death is not the end of life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)
When we choose to believe that Jesus is the Christ, our lives change dramatically, and for the better. We come to know him as someone we can trust. We find the peace and freedom we are seeking not from things of this world, but through him. We find the true light that leads us to eternal happiness.
How did Peter know that Jesus is the Christ?
Peter had the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ from the Holy Ghost. It was revealed to him by the Father.
Note that it didn't come from studying the words of the prophets, or from following the law of Moses, or from being educated as a priest or teacher himself.
Yes, Peter knew the law of Moses and followed it. Yes, he was educated in and knew the words of the prophets. But not as an intellectual exercise. That type of knowledge will never give us a testimony of anything.
Peter knew through revelation. This is that same way that we know for ourselves of this truth.
Revelation comes through the Spirit, and speaks to our hearts and minds of things that are true. All are born with the light of Christ within them. This is the part of us that knows of Christ and his truths. Throughout our lives, we make choices that either make that light stronger, or dimmer.
Invite the Spirit into your life to know for yourself
If you're needing a testimony that Jesus is the Christ, or if that testimony needs to be strengthened, there are many ways you can strengthen your light to receive the truth.
We invite the Spirit into our lives by doing anything that brings us closer to God through Jesus. You can pray, read your scriptures, go to church, or listen to hymns. As we move toward Christ, he comes to us (James 4:8).
I know that as we seek after Jesus as the Christ, as choose to follow him, we can have peace and freedom in our lives. I encourage you to take a step today do draw nearer unto him, that you may have more peace in your life.
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