Who do you

Say That I Am?

Author Darlene J Conard

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:” Luke 12:8 KJV

Jesus sat down with His disciples urgently talking with them about His identity. “Who do men say that I am?” I imagine they looked at one another talking back and forth, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But who do you say that I am?” Without hesitation, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Peter knew that Jesus was the anointed One and acknowledged He was not any son, but the Son of the Most-High God. Peter identified His Savior and His Savior revealed his identity to him. “I say, you are Peter,” Jesus goes on to decree, “On this rock I will build my church. Remember Hannah? Her prophetic gifting transpired and she declared the Lord as the Rock of her salvation. “There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV)

Peter is known for being the first one out of the disciples to speak up and step out. Jesus is often correcting Him.

Jesus warned Peter (Simon) in Luke 22:31, … “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat,” … Satan has desired, meaning he had reserved his plot to shake Peter up. Wheat sifting involves shaking back and forth, then it’s tossed in the air. Here is the key, this process is to get rid of chaff. Jesus declares something that Satan can’t contend with, the power of prayer. Jesus interceded for him changing Peter’s outcome. “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Paraphrasing, Simon, you’re going to be shaken, your faith is going to be tested but when you come out of this attack, you’re not going to come out the same way you went in.” Satan planned to shake Simon (Peter) up to the point that he would turn away. God says, “Satan you may seek to destroy him but what you meant for harm is going to be for his good. Your shaking is going to unloose the chaff so that he can become Peter for the next season. When you endure the violent shaking of the enemy Beloved, things within you are going to loosen what doesn’t belong. “Peter replied to Jesus, “Lord, I’m ready to go with You both into prison and death.” Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. “I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before he crows you will deny you know me three times.”

God knows us. Proverbs 20:27 KJV, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” The NASB version says this, “The spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.”

Peter (Simon) did know Jesus but not himself. “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14 KJV)

We have no idea what we are capable of until tested. Even in my walk with God, I have failed Him. I don’t hide it. I want to share with you my unforgettable experience studying about Peter years ago. In my broken, crushed state I believed that I failed God and would be banished for good! I felt unworthy to publish a book.

One afternoon sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop, the Holy Ghost whispered to my spirit, “Lovest thou me?” tears trickled down my face. “Yes Lord, thou knowest. He began ministering to me highlighting although Peter failed, He never said, “You failed me. You are a disgrace to Me.” No, nothing of that sort came from Jesus’ mouth.

Three times Jesus asked him if he loved Him. Peter the third time sorrowfully replies, “Lord, You know all things. You know I love you.” Jesus loved Peter with agape love, not philia love [. There are tremendous differences between the two. Agape is a selfless, sacrificial unwavering love that will stand in all circumstances. Philia is a brotherly love, love that Christians have for one another. But to follow Him wholeheartedly, Peter would have to love Him with agape love.

Jesus wanted to hear him affirm this because Peter would be sacrificing everything without conditions. Jesus already said that what lay dormant in Peter would flourish. “Arise Peter out from beneath the fist of condemnation and receive My mercy, grace, and healing!”

Peter the one the devil entered in, the one who doubted, the one who disobeyed led the people into the greatest revival, the Day of Pentecost!

We are not defined by our failures, praise the Lord! God sees who we will become, not what we are. All that chaff is going to be blown away by the wind of prophecy!

Then said he unto me, “Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. (Ezekiel 37:9-10 KJV)

When we declare who Jesus is, He will reveal our identity in Him.

[DC1]Strong’s Greek: 26. ἀγάπη (agapé) — love, goodwill (biblehub.com)

[DC2]Strong’s Greek: 26. ἀγάπη (agapé) — love, goodwill (biblehub.com)