BROADCASTS.com

Published: June 16, 2023, 9 a.m.

\u201cWho do YOU say that I am?\u201d Jesus asks this powerful question to His disciples in Matthew 16. It is the most important question any of us is called to answer - and make no mistake. We are all to answer it.\xa0

\n

The question unpacks a lot about who we are, and how we define our lives. We do not get to tell Jesus who He is -only acknowledge it. But He defines us. That is true freedom.\xa0

\n

Stephanie shares, "He doesn\u2019t need to know who he is to you. And he surely doesn\u2019t need us to tell him who he is. So, How do you feel, knowing he is actively seeking out your very own personal answer? Does it feel like it\u2019s a quiz? Is this a test of your theology? Is this a test of your bible knowledge or your relationship with Him? Is this a test you may fail? Or could it be more like an invitation to unearth one of the most meaningful treasures in the world?"

\n

Jesus told a parable one day. Matthew records it just a few paragraphs before this question, in chapter 13. Here is what Jesus says. \u201cThe kingdom of heaven\xa0is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy\xa0he goes and sells all that he has and\xa0buys that field. \u201cAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding\xa0one pearl of great value,\xa0went and sold all that he had and\xa0bought it.\u201d Our understanding of Jesus\u2019 identity is like that treasure. It will change our lives.

\n

Let\u2019s go back to the context in the original text. First he asked what others were saying about him. Again, obviously he knew. He wasn\u2019t seeking information. He was seeking relationship \u2013 as always. Being Jewish through and through, he asks questions to enter into relationship, into dialogue. Who do others say He is? The disciples can answer this one easily, there is nothing personal. And the answer is rather positive, it tells us about the people\u2019s perception of who Jesus was at that point in his ministry. But you can quickly tell, this is not Jesus\u2019 goal. He is only getting started. Then he asks the real question \u2013 the other one was just a primer. Who do YOU say that I am? Now that is completely different. Now they are in the spotlight. Now it\u2019s their turn.

\n

Who we understand Jesus to be, determines who we are. Please hear this. Knowing who Jesus is, will determine the course of your life on earth, in heaven, and every moment spent here and there. Knowing who Jesus is tells you who you are. Jesus\u2019 identity defines your identity \u2013 and this cannot be said of any one else. He alone claims this level of power, authority, and utter allegiance.

\n

Who your kids are doesn\u2019t determine who you are. Who your parents or husband or best friend is, doesn\u2019t determine who you are. Your enemies or your friends or your colleagues or your neighbors or your boss don\u2019t define you.

\n

Jesus defines you.

\n

Where you were born, where you live, your ethnicity or your nationality, your income or your health, your size or your looks \u2013 these don\u2019t define you.

\n

Jesus defines you.

\n

You don\u2019t define yourself. If you are His disciple, then you have effectively renounced the right to define yourself. It means you don\u2019t get to choose the criteria that define you. None of the above.

\n

Jesus defines you.

\n

This is truly the most freeing thing anyone can tell you.

\n

Who Jesus is defines who you are, because you are IN Christ. You cannot be apart from Him. That is the whole purpose of relationship.

\n

If Jesus is truly the King of all kings, and the God of the universe who can hold everything you can see and touch and feel, and everything you can\u2019t, just by the power of His word, then being defined by Him is the most glorious thing and the highest possible calling.

\n

It is not reductive. It is enlarging. It is not confining. It is freeing. It is not limiting. It is boundless.

\n

You are who you are, because Jesus is who He is. And who He is to you, determines who you are.

\n

Ground yourself in Him. The greatest quest you can ever embark on is to take Him at His word when he promises to make Himself your greatest treasure and reward.

\n

Make sure to listen to get all the treasures and nuggets of wisdom from this episode.

\n

In this series, Stephanie takes us deep in Scripture through three powerful Greek words today. God is inviting you to capture your imagination, heart, soul and spirit through a deeper longing for Him. It is an intellectual search, a deep desire for Him, and also a need of our body. We will connect the dots and find that Jesus gives us the blueprint to answer this question the way the Father would invite us to. Let\u2019s embrace Jesus\u2019 invitation to ask, seek and knock \u2013 only to receive, find and have the door be opened. It is the same trio of Greek words, and it will inspire us to answer His question in the way that will bring us delight, for His glory.

\n

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

\n

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

\n

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

\n

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/

\n

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

\n

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/

\n

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

\n

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/

\n

God's glory, our delight\xa0

\n

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/

\n

\xa0

\n

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!

\n

First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal.\xa0See below for more details about your impact.

\n

Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc\u2026). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast.\xa0

\n

And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!

\n

NEW!

\n

Another\xa0way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us!\xa0For example,

\n

- a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours.

\n

- a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.

\n

MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:

\n

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.

\n

Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.

\n

We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.

\n

Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.

\n

We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!

\n

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

\n

We have a beautiful free gift for you! Receive our 30-day summer prayer guide to guide you through a summer season of bounty, rest, sunshine, fellowship, and growth. All you need to do, is be subscribed to our newsletter to receive it automatically, or go to https://www.gospelspice.com/free\xa0to download it immediately.

\n

\xa0

\n

\n

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!