Living intentionally

Matthew 16:13-16 “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven”

Jesus asks this very important question at a critical point in his Ministry, just before he embarks on the next phase of his mission- the cross. V21 gives us some important insight concerning this transition, saying, “From this time Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things”

Up to this moment, Jesus had been teaching on the Kingdom of God, but the time had now come to proceed and fulfil his purpose for coming to the earth. His proceeding to Jerusalem however was predicated on the disciples understanding who he was, because if they could not understand who he was, they couldn’t understand his purpose.

There’s a very important lesson here for us. Jesus knew who he was, and thus clearly understood his mission and when the timing was right to make the next decision towards accomplishing it. See until you understand who you are, you can never really live out your purpose, because purpose is defined by who you are. The preciousness of your time here on earth demands that every decision and action in your life gravitate towards fulfilling your purpose, and when you know who you are, you don’t waste time and energy competing with others who are pursuing their purpose, you just get on with your own pursuit towards fulfilling yours- Then, and only then, can you confidently say- I am living

Shalom