January 20, 2026
You are the Christ - Part 2
Mark 8:27-28
01/20/2026
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the
villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he
asked his disciples, ``Who do people say that I
am?''
28 And they told him, ``John the Baptist; and others
say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.''
29 And he asked them, ``But who do you say that I
am?'' Peter answered him, ``You are the Christ.''
(ESV)
On January 18, the Church celebrated the Confession of Saint
Peter. We prayed:
Heavenly Father, You revealed to the apostle Peter the
blessed truth that Your Son Jesus is the Christ.
Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we
too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no
one else.
``And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of
Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, `Who
do people say that I am?' And they told him, `John the Baptist;
and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.'''
Who is Jesus? Several surveys ask the question, ``Do you
believe in Jesus?'' but fail to ask ``Do you believe Jesus is the
Son of God?'' A majority of people believe that Jesus truly
lived, but that He is simply a good man, a spiritual man, or a
great teacher.[1] We contend, however, if Jesus is not who He
claimed to be, then He is the most evil of all people. Faith in
Christ Jesus as the Son of God, as the Redeemer of the world,
gives us hope and comfort in times of distress and need. If He
lied to us, then He ought not to be followed at all.
But, like Peter, we confess that Jesus is the Christ. This
means that He is the Son of God, the Redeemer from sin and
eternal death who was promised to our first parents. As the
sinless Son of God, He bore our sins upon the cross. Therefore,
in Him we have the promise of eternal life because our sins are
forgiven for His sake.
May our Lord grant that we truly believe Peter's confession
about Jesus. Amen.
____________________
1. See: https://www.barna.com/research/perceptions-of-jesus-
christians-evangelism-in-the-uk/
https://www.barna.com/research/what-do-americans-believe-
about-jesus-5-popular-beliefs/