By: Juliet Constantine

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15 NKJV)
 

If you are like me, I love to read Bible stories and just revel in the experience of those before us. Sometimes I find myself judging some persons harshly for the decisions they made. At other times, I can totally identify with them and totally understand their weakness or strength at particular times. I cherish their experiences and often wished I had lived when Jesus did; for the great opportunity of walking with Him then. 

Those twelve Disciples had that envied position of talking, eating and working with Jesus. They sat at His feet as He taught them about Heaven, His Father and His mission. If I lived then, I wouldn’t have be absent from His company for no time. Probably, I would be in competition with Mary for that envied position – at His Feet. I have no doubt that I would’ve loved the mission field. My specialty would be healing the sick. I would heal everyone, and raise some dead too. 

Even though I love Him, I wonder what my response would’ve been to His pointed question: “But who do you say that I am?” And as I paused to contemplate His question, I am keenly reminded that I need my own testimony. So, who is Jesus to me? 

It’s all easy to dream, but living is another matter. The reality is if I failed now, it is a high probability that I would’ve failed then. If I refuse to study His words now, to listen attentively to sermons as they are delivered, to train my mind to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to figuratively sit at His feet now, I might be tardy in sitting at His feet then, and Mary wouldn’t have had any competition. And yes, if I failed to work for Him now, it is also highly possible that I wouldn’t have enjoyed working for Him then. If I put money and things above Him now, I would probably be just like Judas who sold Him then. 

What makes the difference when I love Him so? Could it be that I have not established an intimate relationship with Him? Or could it be that I’ve become so careless in the handling of my relationship that I do not find pleasure in talking to Him, listening to Him and working with Him? 

So, who is Jesus to me? Is He only my go to help God when I am in trouble? Is He my ABM when I need/want money? He is all those to me, and more. “Jesus is He all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all.” I need my own testimony; not what others have said about Him. Jesus is my Brother, my Redeemer, Savior and Friend. He is my total Deliverer, my Provider, Defender and Confidant. “He is my Strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.” Yes, Jesus is and means everything to me. He is my VBFFL, my very best Friend for life. 

I need not envy the twelve Disciples who were constantly with Him then. I know that someday soon, in the near future, I will walk and talk with Him in person. I am content to praying to my God that I can only see by faith. I am satisfied to listen to Him through His words, nature and His Holy Spirit. One day soon, this will all change. I will see Him face to face and know even as I am known. Yes, Jesus, God’s own Son is my Brother and Friend. What is He to you? 

Dear Father, thank You for giving me Jesus. Please keep me faithful I pray, in His name. Amen.

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – At His Feet” Daily Devotional)