# Day 254

# “Who Do People Say I Am?”

Matthew 16:13–23

At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”

“Some say you’re John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others think you’re Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter spoke up. “You’re the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

“You’re blessed, Peter,” said Jesus. “No man told you this. My Father in heaven has shown it to you. This is the rock on which I’ll build my church. You, Peter, are a stone in that building. And the church I’ll build is stronger than the gates of hell.” He sternly told them, “Don’t tell anyone I’m the Christ.”

He began to tell his disciples what would soon happen: “I’ll go to Jerusalem. There I’ll suffer and be killed. Three days later, I’ll return from death.”

“God forbid it, Lord,” declared Peter. “This must never happen to you!”

Jesus rebuked Peter. “If you think that way, you’ll block my plans. Your words are from Satan. You see me as a human king. Instead, you must understand: God sent me so that these things could happen.”

Questions: Who did Peter say Jesus was? What was going to happen to Jesus in Jerusalem?