What Do You Say?

Christ asked a number of questions. Several of my favorite ones are in Matthew. One I found when I reversed chapter/verse while looking up an important question. Instead of the verse I sought, I found:

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (Matthew 15:16 KJV)

Matthew recorded Jesus giving us a simple truth:

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (Matthew 15:10-11 KJV)

There are considerable Jewish laws, extant, regarding what may or may not be eaten. That includes laws regarding preparation as well as specific meats. There are laws that define what may or may not be used in breads, and how some must be burnt. Religious leaders at that time – and today – knew those laws and admonished people who broke them. That’s why Jesus’ disciples told him:

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? (Matthew 15:12 KJV)

Jesus responded:

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:13-14 KJV)

God will take care of the uprooting – we are to let them alone, if they wish to remain blind to the truth. Peter, however, had one more question:

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. (Matthew 15:15 KJV)

Which brings us to Christ’s answer in verse 16. I’m grateful He went on to explain the parable in Matthew 15:17-19. The verse, though, is our lesson to take to heart in our daily lives – what comes out of our mouth tells who and what we are, and there are many foul-mouthed people who still do not understand this parable.

But, I digressed. Back to the verse originally on my mind:

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (Matthew 16:15 KJV)

When Jesus and His disciples came to Caesarea Philippi, He asked them who people said He was. Many answered that there were many answers:

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (Matthew 16:14 KJV)

It was obvious He was something special. That thought remains today. Even those who deny His deity acknowledge His philosophy is to be desired and they pick and choose what they like best. The questions were not over. Jesus ask that Matthew 16:15 question – the same one each of us must answer now or later.

Peter jumped on the answer:

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16 KJV)

Many of us have given that same answer, haven’t we? And, just as Peter did, we later deny we ever knew Him. That’s the time we need to come back to read His word to build our spiritual faith. It is His Spirit that provides the answers we seek, the ones we need.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:17-18 KJV)

I know – the two verses are not the same question. But my question to myself and my readers is:  What do you say in answer to these two questions?