In Luke 9:18-21, we see an interaction between Jesus and the disciples. Rumors were flying among the crowds about who Jesus supposedly was – John the Baptist, Elijah or some other ancient prophet, risen from the dead. But Jesus asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” When posed this question, Peter answered accurately, “The Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God.”

Peter and the other disciples were able to discern who Jesus was because they had intimate knowledge of Him. Jesus’ first twelve disciples were called by name to follow Him. When they gave Him their “yes,” they left everything behind and entered into a very personal relationship with Him. They walked everywhere with Jesus. They ate every meal with Jesus. They slept where He slept. They ministered to people alongside Him. They rested when He rested. They prayed when He prayed (or tried to when they didn’t fall asleep!). The longer the disciples spent with Jesus, the more they understood who He was and why He came to the world. They witnessed His kindness and His love for the downtrodden and marginalized people in society. They experienced His power and the demonstration of His glory through miracles, signs, and wonders. Because His disciples “did life” with Him for so long, they had no doubt about who He was.

Today, Jesus is asking us, “But who do you say that I am?” This is the question placed before all who hear of Jesus. In fact, we answer this question every day by what we believe and do. If we believe He is not only Savior, but LORD, we will live in a way that is totally submitted to Him. Do we find ourselves in an intimate relationship with Jesus or is He simply a casual acquaintance who meets our needs from time to time? Are we walking with Him daily? Are we listening for His voice? He has called each and every one of us to follow Him. Will we lay aside the agenda we may have for our lives and say, “Not my will, but Yours be done?”

I have experienced throughout my life that He is my Friend, my Lord, my Healer, my Redeemer, my Provider, my Comforter, my Savior and more. One of my favorite songs describes Him perfectly: “Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, my God, that is Who You are!”

Perhaps you feel a disconnect when you read these words because you do not feel close to Him. The Bible says that if you will draw near to God, He will draw near to you. We can walk with, talk with and “do life” with Jesus, much like the disciples did 2,000 years ago. How? By immersing ourselves in the Word of God, by spending time in prayer, by gathering with like-minded believers, by being His hands and feet in the world around us and through worship. Everything Jesus has done is for us to have this very personal and intimate relationship with Him!

Whether you’ve been a believer for 30 years or 30 minutes, let’s all press in a little closer to our Lord today!