Seeing Jesus Clearly

“Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah [the Christ, the Anointed One], the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:15-16

I was on a recent trip on the Amazon River when the power of this verse struck me again. It carries with it both intimacy and revelation. Following after Jesus there were the disciples, the crowds, and the multitudes. All of them had their own ideas of who Jesus was, what his mission was, and what he was there to do. Jesus asked who do the people say I am? And the disciples answered, “some say this, some say that.” And then he asked them very personally, “But who do you say I am?” By the revelation of the Holy Spirit Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus you are the Savior, the One sent to help us, the One sent to bring us back to God! The revelation of who Jesus is, is so significant in our lives!

A.W. Tozer argued that, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” And it’s true! No matter who you are, your concept of God will influence every area of your life! Whether you live in the most remote village in the jungles of Brazil or somewhere within the borders of the beautiful Rogue Valley; your thoughts of God will define your life. Is God good or is he angry? Did he cause this sickness to happen or does he have divine health for me? Is everything just going to hell these days or is there redemptive hope in Jesus Christ?

When I look towards the Lord and I catch a glimpse of His face I see more clearly who He is, and from that place I see myself more clearly. When Peter declared who Jesus was the Lord then reveled the truth of who Peter was. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” In this same section of scripture it says that when we turn to God it’s like a veil is lifted and we experience the freedom of the Lord. The revelation of Jesus leads me into more freedom and into a deeper expression of His love. 

I was probably 13 when I caught my first glimpse of God. Since then it has been a lifetime pursuit with its own highs and lows. At times I have been confident in who I am in Christ and others I wonder if I’m even saved! But the truth is that God has been faithful to me in every stage of my life. He’s not afraid of my questions. He’s not afraid of my doubts. He is bigger than these things. He loves to show up and reveal the truth and hope of who He is. I look more like Jesus now than when I was 13. The rough edges have been smoothed out. I’m more confident in my identity, I can be soft without the need to defend myself, I can take center stage or be content behind the scenes. I’m not perfect but the Good News is that Jesus didn’t die for perfect people. The word says that He died for us while we were still sinners. Now that I do know Him I am becoming more and more like Him – full of love and full of hope.

This week I pray that you would see Jesus more clearly. That you would feel connected to the Lord. You belong in the presence of God! By the blood of Jesus you are holy, righteous, and pure. That’s who you are because God said so! I pray that just like Peter, you would see Jesus for who He is, and that from that place of revelation you would be changed. 

Blessings,

Anthony

I have a call of God on my life that I can’t ignore, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and raise disciples wherever I go. God has positioned and assigned me in the Amazonas region of Brazil. I carry a pastoral heart and a desire to bring strategic growth both for our team and ministry. My desire is to see our ministry and influence grow into all that God has for it. Our focus is sharing the simple gospel with the people scattered across the amazon basin until every area of their lives is influenced by the life and truth of Jesus Christ. 

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