After the miracle of feeding a crowd of over five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fishes (vs. 10-17) and while having a private prayer session, Jesus asked His disciples about Jesus and knowing Him are never the same. Many, like the crowd, are still at the point of speculating about who Jesus is (see v. 19; see also vs. 7-8). Have you, like Peter, received and accepted God's truth about who Jesus is? Read and meditate on v. 20 and Matthew 16:16-17.
Jesus then explains what His Messiahship entails: suffering, rejection and death but followed by His resurrection. He then calls on all His hearers to willingly follow in His footsteps. This is the call to true discipleship - the willingness to endure any and everything for the sake of Christ and the glory of God. The more popular teachings of today's Christianity say very little about this call and tend to ignore Jesus' interpretation of the seed that fell among thorns (see Luke 8:7 and 14). In v. 22 Jesus was certain about His suffering, death and resurrection and in v.26, He is equally certain about His Second Coming.
Let us heed His call (v. 23) and be confident that He will never be ashamed of us here and in eternity.
Pray that the Church will raise more disciples than mere followers.
©Scripture Union Nigeria
REMAIN BLESSED!
