What's The Solution? Part 3

This is part 3 of “What’s the solution?,” a series on the answer to the challenging times we live in.

Click HERE for part 1.

Click HERE for part 2.

People are looking for answers to the many problems they see in the world around themselves. When the barbershop reopened after months of being closed due to coronavirus, the men inside were looking for more than just a haircut, they were looking for answers. So it is easy to understand that when I was asked in that crowded barbershop what the solution was to everything going on, the place fell silent and everyone turned to me to hear my response.

The gravity of the question demanded an answer, so I told them. I let them know, and I also want you to know that the answer is simple, but it is not easy. The solution to everything going on in the world around us is… JESUS! But we have to be careful not to get Him confused with some of the substitutes out there.

Matthew 16:13-18 
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Our society is struggling with an identity crisis. Most people do not know their distinctiveness, uniqueness, or purpose in life. Many do not know who they are or even why they exist. As people remove themselves farther and farther away from their Creator, they find themselves doubting His existence, doubting that He created them, and tragically ignorant about why He created them. A creation cannot define itself, its identity, or its purpose; only the creator has the ability to do that. Until people learn their identity and purpose from their Creator, they will remain uninformed about who they are and why they exist. 

In the above passage, Jesus is spending time talking with his disciples as they are journeying into Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asks them a private question, tailor-made specifically for them, “Who do people say that I am?” He’s looking for feedback. Have you ever wondered what people are saying about you when you are not around? I have. I have even asked myself, “What do people really think about me?”

Unsurprisingly, the disciples responded with a variety of answers to Jesus’ question. I would probably also get a variety of answers if I walked into my local grocery store and started asking people who Jesus is. The disciples answered that some say this and some say that. People’s opinions about a person are all over the place, especially when that person is Jesus. There seems to be no agreement on this very important question.

Then Jesus asks them directly, “Who do you say that I am?” We cannot afford to get this question wrong because our eternal destination depends upon our response. Now all the other disciples remained silent, but Simon boldly responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus was ecstatic with Simon’s acknowledgment. Not only does Jesus call him blessed but also He says something very important to Simon that I don’t want you to miss. Jesus tells Simon that he is now Peter. The name Peter means rock or stone. Essentially, when God revealed Jesus’ identity to Simon and Simon acknowledged it, that is the moment when Jesus revealed Simon’s identity to him. In other words, Jesus will give you your identity once you know His identity.

If you do not know who you truly are or why you exist on this earth, I encourage you today to find out who Jesus is by spending considerable time in the Word of God. Once you know who Jesus is, He will tell you who you are.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me a unique identity and purpose. Help me better understand who Jesus is so He can show me who I am. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You have a purpose and a mission. Next week, I will explain your part of this great call!