Matthew 16:13-20 records an occasion when Jesus asked his disciples what people were saying about him. Peter answered with a list: “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus then cut to the point and asked what Peter thought; “But who do you say that I am?” This was Peter’s moment. Will he shine or crash and burn? Peter’s record, after all, is hit or miss. However, in this pivotal moment Peter gives an answer to Jesus’ question which forever echoes in the halls of the kingdom of God. “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

This good confession is the grounding for all true faith. There’s no such thing as a Christian who hasn’t affirmed this powerful truth claim about the identity of Jesus. Jesus is no mere man. Rather, he is God incarnate who sustains the universe and has saved the world from sin and death. The life of Christ is the greatest life of all.

Every believer should intimately know the story of the life of Christ. It is a story that affects us deeply and transforms us completely. We all need to know of his pre-existence, virgin birth, preaching & discipling, sinless life, death on the cross, resurrection, ascension, and imminent return.

We hold the Jesus story close to our hearts and we cherish it beyond anything else. Nothing is more important to us than our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ; his name is above all names. May we have a renewed love for our Lord Jesus’ life and ministry. May we, like Peter, boldly announce that Jesus truly is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The life of Christ is the greatest life of all.

-Paul Merideth preaches for the Watterson Trail Church of Christ in Jeffersontown, KY