Who is Jesus? What did he come to do? What does it mean to be his disciple? These are very important questions for us to ponder. According to the disciples, the people thought Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets. But when Jesus asked the disciples about who they thought he was, Peter declared, "You are the Messiah". It means that Jesus is God's Anointed One, the long-awaited descendant of David whose throne and kingdom God would establish forever. That is indeed who Jesus is.

But what did he come to do? Jesus says that the Son of Man would suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then rise again. This was not what Peter or the other disciples expected or wanted to hear. Gaining glory without suffering was one of the ways Satan tempted Jesus in the desert and Jesus would have nothing to do with that. Jesus obeyed God's will and endured the cross for the glory that he would receive and the glory that he would share.

The way of the cross is the way for Jesus' disciples as well. We are to follow our Lord's example by denying ourselves, shouldering our crosses, and following in his footsteps. This is the way to eternal life. Jesus says that whoever saves their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for his sake will save it. Are you ready to follow the Lord?


Application: Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah.
One Word: Take up your cross and follow him!