Luke 9:18-20 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 1. Christ did not ask this question for information. 2. He did not ask it because He desired the applause of men. 3. He did not ask it because He intended to form His course according to the reply. 4. But what He did ask it for was that He might ground His disciples in the deepest faith. The answer to His question suggests — I. THAT PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS CONCERNING CHRIST, II. THE OPINIONS HELD OF HIM WERE HIGH AND HONOURABLE. III. FOR ALL THAT THEY FELL FAR SHORT OF THE REALITY, IV. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THE TRUE ESTIMATE OF HIM: that of Peter — "The Christ of God." There is a great difference between believing Him to be the Son of God, and believing Him to be Jesus of Nazareth only. 1. You can never trust Him for your spiritual safety if you believe in Him merely as a man. 2. If you believe in Him only as a man, He can never satisfy the yearnings of your spirit. Who is He then? He is not only the greatest of men, but the Son of the Living God, the Saviour of the world. (Thomas Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? |
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