I was reading a devotional the other day about when Jesus asks his disciples to define their relationship and define who He is. A cool thing I'm learning about Jesus is that He is so personal, & He is someone different for each person. His characteristics are the same, but the ones we choose to define him as and cling to change based on who you ask.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks “What about you? Who do you say I am?” & Peter goes on to define Jesus as the messiah and the son of God. After he does this, Jesus defines who Peter is through Jesus. His identity is made new to him. It’s similar to any relationship. There becomes a point when you both define who you are to each other. Whether it be a classmate becoming a friend, a friend becoming a best friend, or a crush becoming a partner; it changes both individuals identities and changes the relationship completely. It changes how you introduce each other to new friends and it changes the way you share things with one another.

The Lord who created the universe desires a relationship with us so intimate that it not only changes us but it changes who He is. We serve a God who is welcoming us and chasing us down. In the midst of whatever pit we may be in or whatever feelings we may be having, He is there providing exactly what we need in the moment. He is a God who desires an intimate relationship with us that changes us because of the love He has for us. 

To me, Jesus is love. He has a love that is so unconditional, nothing could separate me from it. It is welcoming and inviting. He is the one who embraces the pain I feel and walks with me through it. He is the one who guides me when I don’t know where to step. He is a friend who meets me with compassion and grace in all circumstances and He is there to uphold me through hardships. Jesus is my comfort and is my strength. His joy is what sustains me when days seem hard.

He says I am chosen and seen in Him. He says I have joy on days when joy is hard to find. He calls me loved and known. In Him, I am created new and sought after. I am a child and am loved exactly as I am. He calls me His own "with whom He is well pleased". In His presence, I am free. I am free from fear, I am free from doubts, I am free from the things that may hold me back from loving others as He does. I am valued and I am seen as precious in His sight.

Our identity changes when we are able to define who He is to us.

So, I want to ask you..

Who is Jesus to you & who does He say you are?