Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in verses twenty-eight through sixty-two of the ninth chapter of this New Testament book. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glittering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen” (Luke 9:28-36). “And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And, behold a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out: and it feareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out: and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and take him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him to his father” (Luke 9:37-42). “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying” (Luke 9:43-45). “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest. And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him ,and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Luke 9:46-48). “And John answered and said, master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbid him, because he followers not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9:49-50). “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a. Village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was a thought he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. And they went to another village” (Luke 9:51-56). “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath. Not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus aid unto him, NO man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:57-62). When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the third account of Jesus taking three of His disciples—those disciples whom we might well refer to as His inner circle. Within this passage of Scripture we find the Lord Jesus taking His disciples James and his brother John as well as Simon who was called Peter up into a mountain to pray. It would be there upon the mountain the Lord Jesus would pray before and unto His Father which was in heaven. While Jesus prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening. The beloved physician is now the third gospel author to write concerning this particular event which took place within the public life and ministry of the Lord Jesus and His disciples. Within the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we find it written how the Lord Jesus would take Peter, James and John up into a high mountain eight days after he had completed the sayings which we find in the previous verses. It is absolutely necessary that we recognize which are found in this passage of Scripture for this would be an additional reference to the Lord Jesus taking these three disciples of His into a high mountain. There atop the mountain we find Jesus praying before and unto His Father which was in heaven and it was while He prayed before and unto His Father that the fashion of His countenance and His person would be changed and altered. Upon that mountain as the Lord Jesus prayed before and unto His Father which was in heaven His countenance was indeed altered to the point where He shone and appeared as bright as the sun in all its strength and His garments were white and glistening. Oh this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the narrative and account of Jesus taking these three disciples with Him up into an high mountain. As I sit here this morning thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but think about and consider how it comes directly after the words and language which is presented in the previous set of verses. If you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in this chapter beginning with the eighteenth verse you will find Jesus once again praying before and unto His Father which was in heaven. Beginning with the eighteenth verse you will find the beloved physician Luke writing concerning Jesus that He was alone praying and how His disciples were with Him. It would be while He was praying and alone with His disciples He would ask them who men and the people said that he the Son of man was. The disciples would answer and declare unto Him how there were those who thought and believed that He was John the Baptist. There were others who thought and believed the Lord Jesus was Elijah while there were others who thought Jesus was one of the old prophets which was risen again. Oh if there is one thing we must needs recognize and pay close attention to when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s that during the days of the Lord Jesus as the Word which was made flesh and manifested among us there were different opinions and thoughts concerning Him. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders all wondered whether Jesus was the Christ and the Messiah and would continually ask Him to not only tell them plainly but also give them a sign to show and demonstrate that reality. The religious community could and did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, however, they were very much curious whether or not He was the Messiah and the Christ. I am absolutely convinced we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found within this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the varying and different opinions concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. As you read the words which are found within this passage of Scripture you will find that Jesus would ask His disciples very plainly and clearly who men said that He the Son of man was. Upon hearing this question asked of them by the Lord Jesus the disciples would proceed to rehearse the different opinions which were spoken during those days. The disciples would declare and proclaim unto the Lord Jesus how there were those who thought he was John the Baptist risen from the dead while there were others who thought that He was the prophet Elijah risen from the dead. Still there were others who thought and believed the Lord Jesus was Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand for within those days there were varying and differing opinions concerning who Jesus of Nazareth. There were many during those days who thought and believed that Jesus was one of the ancient Hebrew prophets which were risen from the dead and manifested unto men during those days. This is something we must not miss and lose sight of for while the Lord Jesus would indeed ask the disciples who men said that He the Son of man was He would make it more personal unto them and would ask them whom they said and believed He the Son of man to be. It would be during those days the Lord Jesus would ask the disciples a very personal and pointed question—one that would strike at the very heart of what they thought and believed concerning His identity and who He was in their hearts, in their minds and in their lives. As you read the words present within this passage of Scripture you will find the Lord Jesus first asking the disciples who men said that He the Son of man was and would even listen to and hear that which they would speak unto Him concerning those opinions and thoughts. The Lord Jesus would ask the disciples who men said that He the Son of man was and would hear as they would rehearse and recount all the differing opinions concerning who he the Son of man was. I am absolutely convinced this is incredibly necessary to think about and consider for it demonstrates and reveals something which was not only true during those days and that generation but also something that is true even within our generation in which we are presently living. I am absolutely convinced that just as there were differing opinions and lines of thought concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and who He was so also are there different views concerning the person of the Lord Jesus during these days. We would be incredibly naïve to think and believe for a single moment that the differing opinions and thoughts concerning who Jesus of Nazareth was were so vastly different during those days and that the same reality is not present and manifested within our days. In fact it is during our days and our generation when there are men and women who think and believe that Jesus is and was nothing more than a good and righteous man who walked upon the face of the earth. There are others who believe that Jesus was indeed a prophet who was ordained and appointed by the living God during those days for a specific purpose. Oh we must needs recognize and understand just how incredibly significant and powerful this truly is for it calls and draws our attention to something which must needs be understood about the days in which the Lord Jesus walked upon the face of the earth. If you take the time to study the words which are found within the gospel narratives you will find that during those days in which the Lord Jesus walked upon the face of the earth men and women were seeking to understand just who He was. The gospel narratives are replete with example after example of men and women who sought to understand just who this man from Nazareth truly was among them. With this being said it’s worth noting that whenever Jesus encountered an unclean and evil spirit—or I should say in most cases when the Lord Jesus encountered an evil and unclean spirit—they would cry out with a loud voice concerning the identity of the Lord Jesus. The unclean and evil spirits during those days would indeed cry out and declare Jesus as being the Son of God and the Son of the Highest. The gospels provide us with account after account of the unclean spirits who would indeed cry out during those days concerning the Idenity of the Lord Jesus and how the Lord Jesus was indeed the Son of the most high God—something which men and women within their own natural minds could not truly understand and recognize. The four gospel narratives are incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about the language contained within it for they bring us face to face with the truth concerning the Lord Jesus and the varying opinions and lines of thoughts concerning Him and who He was. It would be during those days the religious community and system sought to understand just who this man from Nazareth was while the unclean and evil spirits would indeed cry out declaring and proclaiming the Lord Jesus was the Son of the most high God. Oh with this being said we must also recognize and understand that there were countless different opinions which were present during those days within the hearts and minds of men as there were a number of men and women who thought and believed one thing concerning the Lord Jesus while there were others who believed something different concerning Him and who He was. I have to admit that I can’t help but be absolutely and incredibly captivated and challenged with and by the words and language that is found in these verses and passages of Scripture for within them we are brought face to face with something truly important during those days. It would be during the days of the Lord Jesus that men and women desired to truly understand and know who the Lord Jesus was and for many of them they thought and believed that he was one of the ancient Hebrew prophets risen from the dead. There were others during those days who believed the Lord Jesus was indeed John the Baptist who was risen from the dead—something we must needs pay careful and close attention to. Within these verses and these passages of Scripture we encounter and are brought face to face with the tremendous reality that during those days there were varying opinions which were present within the hearts and minds of men and women as everyone sought to figure out and understand just who the Lord Jesus truly was. From the religious leaders during those days, to the religious Jews during those days, to the publicans, to the ordinary and common people present during those days everyone desired to know just who the person of the Lord Jesus truly was. The words and language we find in this passage of Scripture bring us face to face with the incredible truth surrounding those days and how it would be during those days when men and women were trying to understand and figure out just who this Jesus of Nazareth truly was. What’s more is there were men and women during those days who demanded of Jesus to give them a sign that he might demonstrate and prove who He was and that He was indeed the Son of God. Time and time again there were those who would ask the Lord Jesus to provide them with a sign that he might demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the most High God and that He was indeed the Messiah and the Christ. If there is one thing that helps further illustrate and demonstrate this particular reality it’s when you consider the fact that these opinions and questions did not begin with Jesus of Nazareth Himself but would begin with John the Baptist. As you read the gospel narratives you will find time and time again when the religious leaders and the religious system of those days desired of John the Baptist that He reveal unto them whether or not He was the Messiah or the Christ. In fact the Pharisees and the religious leaders of that day would not only send men unto John the Baptist inquiring whether or not he was the Messiah and the Christ but they would even come unto him themselves and ask him whether or not he was the Messiah. It’s worth noting that John the Baptist would not only declare that he was not the Messiah but would also declare and proclaim that He was by a voice in the wilderness crying, Prepare ye the way of the LORD and make His paths straight.” During those days John the Baptist would indeed be asked whether or not he was the Messiah—a question which he would respond. By declaring that he was not. What’s more is that during those days the Pharisees themselves would ask him if and since he wasn’t the Messiah then why would he baptize with water. In response to this John the Baptist would declare unto them how he baptized with water but there was one from among them who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular reality for during those days there would be men and women who would ask whether or not John the Baptist was the Messiah only to find this prophet and forerunner of the Messiah declaring that he was not. Instead John the Baptist would declare unto them that he was merely the voice of one crying in the wilderness proclaiming the wonderful and powerful message “Prepare ye the way of the LORD and make His paths straight.” Oh this is something we need to pay attention to and recognize when considering the words present within the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke. Beginning with the eighteenth verse of this passage of Scripture we find Luke writing how Jesus was alone praying and how His disciples were present together with Him. It would be while Jesus was praying that he would stop that he might ask His disciples two very powerful and pointed questions which garnered two different answers and responses. The first question the Lord Jesus would ask of them would be one that centered around and focused upon the opinions and thoughts of men—the question of whom men said, thought and believed that he the Son of man was. There in the company and presence of His disciples the Lord Jesus would ask His disciples whom men said that He the Son of man was and then listened to and entertained the various different thoughts and opinions concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we must needs recognize and pay close attention to for it brings us face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the various different opinions concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and how there were those who thought and believed that the Lord Jesus was nothing more than an ancient Hebrew prophet who had been risen from the dead. The Lord Jesus would ask the disciples who men said that He the Son of man was and would then hear them rehearse the various different opinions which were found during those days among the hearts of men. Having said and written all of this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew as well as the words which are found within the New Testament gospel narrative written by John mark and now the beloved physician Luke. In order to understand the encounter atop the mountain where the Lord Jesus took Peter, James and John together with Him that he might pray before and unto His Father we must needs recognize that which preceded and came before it. I am absolutely convinced that we cannot understand the words which are found in the accounts of the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus without first understanding the encounter which He had with the disciples there in the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. I firmly believe that when we read these passages of Scripture we not only recognize and understand the various lines of thoughts and opinions which were centered around the person of the Lord Jesus Christ but also that which the disciples themselves believed concerning who he the Son of man. We must needs recognize and understand this for there is something truly astonishing and captivating when we consider the language concerning Jesus asking the disciples who men said that He the Son of man and then who they being His disciples believed Him to be. Oh that we would pay close attention to these questions which the Lord Jesus asked His disciples for there would be something different about those who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus in fellowship and who they believed, knew and understood Him to be and those who would hear the words which He would teach and preach as well as witness and behold the miracles which He would perform during those days. Oh if there is something we must needs understand when reading the words presented in these passages it is not only that there were varying and different opinions concerning the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ but how those opinions would indeed be vastly different from that which the disciples believed and understood concerning the Lord Jesus. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found within these gospels beginning with the sixteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? AND they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou o, Simon Bar-jona: 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ” (Matthew 16;13-20). “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his won soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:21-28). These two passages of Scripture call and bring our attention to the apostle Matthew’s account of their coming into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi and how it would be there in those coasts the Lord Jesus would indeed ask His disciples who men said that He the Son of man was. Not only would Jesus ask His disciples who men said that He the Son of man was but He would also ask them who they personally said, believed and thought that Jesus the Son of man was. What’s more is that during those days Jesus would declare unto Simon called Peter that flesh and blood did not reveal unto him that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God but His Father which was in heaven. Moreover the Lord Jesus would go on to declare that it would be upon that rock he would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. This is something worth recognizing and paying close attention to for if you continue reading you will find the Lord Jesus going on to teach and show unto His disciples how He must needs suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the elders of the people, the scribes and the like before He would be killed and crucified that He might indeed be raised from death to life. Simon Peter—the same one who declared unto Jesus that He was the Christ and the Son of the living God—would take Jesus aside and proceed to rebuke Him declaring that this would not be so unto him. Jesus would hear those words which Simon called Peter would speak unto Him and would speak directly unto Satan and command Satan to get behind Him for he was an offense to him not savoring those things which be of God but those things which be of men. Immediately following this the Lord Jesus would go on to teach and show unto the disciples that if they wished to come after Him they must deny themselves, they must take up their cross and follow Him. It would be in direct response to Jesus as the Christ and the son of the living God, in direct response to Jesus suffering in the flesh and being killed before being raised from death to life Jesus would then proceed to teach His disciples how they must needs deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the eighth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by John mark as well as the words which are found in the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke. It is within these passages of Scripture we are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the question Jesus asked his disciples concerning whom men said that He the Son of man was as well as who they believed Him to be. Not only this but within these passages of Scripture we find Jesus proceeding to teach and show unto His disciples how He must suffer and be killed before being raised from death to life while also at the same time calling them to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. The Lord would declare unto them that whosoever did and would not deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him would not be worthy of Him—something we must needs recognize and understand within our own lives and the relationship we profess to have with the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the gospel narratives written by John Mark and Luke concerning these same events which the apostle Matthew wrote about within his gospel: “And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? OR what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation: of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:27-38). “And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:18-27). We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for during these days the Lord Jesus Christ would ask the disciples who men said that He the Son of man was. The disciples would then proceed to give and rehearse unto the person fo the Lord Jesus who men said that He truly was. The disciples would present unto the Lord Jesus the various different opinions and lines of thought which were present during those days and how there were many who perhaps weren’t even sure who Jesus of Nazareth with. Oh if there is one thing I can’t help but think about when reading these words it is that there were a number of men and women who truly did not know who Jesus of Nazareth was. There is not a doubt in my mind that there were countless men and women who would hear the words which Jesus would teach and speak and yet they were entirely and altogether uncertain who he truly was. What’s more is I would day say there were others who witnessed and beheld the vast and many works He performed and wrought during those days and yet were entirely and altogether uncertain concerning the identity of Jesus. Oh that which makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is that when Jesus was teaching in the synagogues of Capernaum as well as in Nazareth there were those who could not get past the fact that they knew Him to be the son of Joseph and Mary. There were those who were present during those days who heard the words which the Lord Jesus would teach and preach and yet they could not get past that which they knew and believed concerning Him. There were those in Nazareth who believed that Jesus was nothing more than the son of a Jewish carpenter from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and that His brothers and sisters were present there among them. Oh while there were others who were trying to figure out and understand just who the person of the Lord Jesus Christ was there would be others who claimed and professed to know exactly who He was for they knew Him to be the son of Joseph and Mary with his brothers and sisters being present among them. Consider if you will the following words found within the four gospel narratives concerning who and what those who were present in Nazareth and Capernaum: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was s delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the baptizes, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogues were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:14-22). “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:53-58). “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country: and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother o James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty works, ave that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching” (Mark 6:1-6). “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that’s hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye at the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum” (John 6:41-59). “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying: who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew form the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:60-65). “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal. Life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, have no I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:66-71). There is a great need to read and pay close attention to the words presented in these passages of Scripture for not only in Nazareth but also in Capernaum there were men and women who struggled with who Jesus truly was. We know that while Jesus and His disciples were in Caesarea Philippi He asked them who men said that He the Son of man and would ultimately present the question of who they said that He the Son of man was, however, when we read these passages of Scripture we find there was another opinion and line of thinking present during those days. If you take the time to read the words found in these passages you will find that those in Nazareth of Galilee and those of Capernaum of Galilee were greatly offended with the person of the Lord Jesus Christ because they knew who [as it was assumed] was his father and mother. Those in Nazareth and those in Capernaum were greatly offended with Jesus for they knew Him to be the son of a carpenter named Joseph in Nazareth. This is something we must needs understand for when you read the four gospel narratives you will find countless examples and accounts of everyone trying to understand and figure out just who Jesus was. The religious leaders repeatedly sought to discern and understand whether or not Jesus was the Messiah and the Christ which had been foretold by the prophets while the religious Jews during those days not only had issue with His claims that He was the Son of God but also that He was the Messiah and the Christ. If there is one thing we must recognize and understand when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture it’s that on no occasion and in absolutely no place within the four gospels do we find Jesus ever making the claim that He was the Messiah and the Christ. In fact more often than not what you will find is Jesus instructing and commanding His disciples to not tell men and women that He was the Christ nor even the Son of God. Even when we find Jesus commending Simon called Peter for the revelation of the Father that He was the Christ and the Son of the living God we find Him instructing them to tell no man that He was the Christ or the Son of the living God. During the days in which Jesus of Nazareth walked upon the face of the earth we find countless different opinions and lines of thinking concerning who He truly was in the eyes, the hearts and the minds of men. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something incredibly unique and powerful when we take the time to understand this—especially in light of what took place atop the mountain where and when Jesus was transfigured before James, John and Peter. What’s more is that if you turn and direct your attention to the earlier chapters of the gospel narratives written by Luke, John Mark and the apostle Matthew you will find that when He emerged from the waters of the baptism the voice of the Father spoken from heaven declaring that He was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. Before Jesus would perform a single miracle, before Jesus would heal a single body, before Jesus would drive a single unclean spirit, before Jesus would preach any sermon He would hear the voice of the Father speak from heaven declaring that He was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. This is something which stands at the very core and foundation of the identity and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ for before men would and even could formulate any opinion(s) concerning His identity He would already hear the voice of the Father declare that He was His beloved Son in whom he was well-pleased. What’s more is that it would be based on this declaration from the Father that would strike at the very heart of the temptation of the devil in the wilderness as the devil would approach Jesus based on the reality of “If you are the Son of God.” We must needs recognize and pay attention to this particular truth for before any opinions and lines of thinking were formulated concerning the Lord Jesus He had already heard the voice of the Father declare and proclaim unto Him that He was His beloved Son. Before any man could formulate a single opinion concerning who the Lord Jesus was He would indeed hear the voice of the Father proclaim from heaven that He was not only His beloved Son but also that He was well pleased in and with Him. There is something truly captivating about that which took place at the Jordan River for it would be the first of two distinct encounters within the public life and ministry of the Lord Jesus where the voice of the Father would speak from heaven. It would be at the Jordan River in a very public setting where the voice of the Father would speak from heaven declaring and proclaiming Him to be His beloved Son and it would be atop the mountain in a personal, private and intimate setting with three of His disciples the voice of the Father would once more speak from heaven declaring that Jesus was His beloved Son. We know that Simon called Peter would emphatically declare and proclaim that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God and would do so—not once but twice—however we must also recognize that the voice of the Father would speak from heaven twice declaring that he was His beloved Son. This is something that requires a great amount of consideration and attention for within the four New Testament gospels we find two declarations concerning Jesus being the Son of the living God made by Simon called Peter as well as two distinct declarations of the Father that Jesus was his beloved Son. How absolutely incredible it is to think about and consider these truths for when we think about the identity of the person of Jesus of Nazareth we must recognize that He was indeed proclaimed and declared to be the Son of the living God by the Father Himself as well as by one of His own disciples. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something incredibly powerful about these declarations concerning Jesus and who He truly was—not only in the eyes of Simon called Peter but also the Father. Within the four gospels we find the Lord Jesus Christ hearing the voice of the Father proclaiming that He was His beloved Son while we also find Simon called Peter professing and proclaiming that He was the Son of the living God as well as the Christ. With this all in mind I invite you to consider if you will the following words which are found in each of the four gospels concerning the baptism of the Lord Jesus and how there at the Jordan River as John baptized Him in water—not only would the heavens be opened before Him, and not only would the Spirit descend upon Him in the bodily form of a dove but the voice of the Father would speak from heaven declaring and proclaiming Him to be His beloved Son. It would be at the Jordan River where the voice of the Father would proclaim and profess that He was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased which would in fact be the first time Jesus would hear the declaration that He was the Son of the Father—at least while He was in the flesh. We know that when He was twelve years old He already had an understanding that God was His Father because when He was questioned by his parents why he had dealt with them thus He responded by asking them if they didn’t know He must be about His Father’s business. At the age of twelve we find Jesus asking Mary and Joseph if they weren’t aware that He must be about His Father’s business and it would be at the age of thirty—eighteen years later—when the voice of the Father would speak from heaven and emphatically proclaim and declare that He was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. This is incredibly important for us to recognize for within the gospels we would find a second time when the Father would speak from heaven declaring that Jesus was His beloved Son. What’s more is that it would be on this second encounter atop the mountain where the Father would add something different for He would also instruct those who were present to hear and listen to Him. Consider if you will the following narratives and accounts which are found in the gospels concerning Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River and the voice of the Father which would speak to Him from the midst of heaven: “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John for bad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it be so now: for thus it be cometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17). “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). These three passages are incredibly unique and captivating when you take the time to truly consider them for they each present us with the same account of Jesus being baptized of John at the Jordan River. It would be there at the Jordan River where Jesus would emerge from the waters and would hear the voice of the Father declaring that He was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. We must pay close and careful attention to this for it brings us face to face with the truth surrounding Jesus and how the voice of the Father would proclaim in the hearing of John the Baptist—perhaps in the hearing of all those who were present on that particular occasion—that he was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. How absolutely wonderful and truly incredible this is when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the reality of Jesus being the eternal Son of the living God in whom he was well pleased. This would be the first declaration and proclamation that would be made concerning Jesus being the Son of the living God with the second one coming from the apostle Peter in Caesarea Philippi. It would be the Father who would first declare and profess that Jesus was the beloved Son in whom He was well pleased and it would be Simon called Peter who would also profess and proclaim that Jesus was the Son of the living God—and not only the Son of the living God but also the Christ. What we must needs understand when reading the four gospels is there would be a second time when Simon called Peter would proclaim and profess Jesus to being the Christ and the Son of the living God. While it was indeed true that at Caesarea Philippi Simon called Peter would proclaim Jesus to be the Christ and the Son of the living God it would also be in Capernaum of Galilee he would also declare that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God. When other disciples were offended, murmured and complained against Him and even turned back and walked no more with Him Jesus would ask the twelve if they too would walk away. It would be Simon called Peter who would respond to the Lord by emphatically declaring they had nowhere else to go for he alone held the words of eternal life. Not only this but Simon called Peter would also declare that he was persuaded that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of the living God. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the final verses of the sixth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John: “…These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed no, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:60-71). I firmly believe we must recognize the words and language presented here within this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful reality of Simon Peter making a second declaration and proclamation concerning Jesus as being the Son of the living God. Jesus would ask the disciples if they too would turn back and choose to walk no more with Him and it would be Simon called Peter who would not only ask the Lord to whom they should go but would also declare unto Him that he alone had the words of eternal life. Not only this but Simon would also declare unto the Lord Jesus that he was indeed the Christ and the Son of the living God and that they were sure that this was the case. This is something absolutely tremendous when you take the time to consider it for this would be the second time one of Jesus’ own disciples would declare and profess Him to be the Son of the living God. It is absolutely wonderful and marvelous when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture—and not only this passage of Scripture but also the various others within the New Testament gospels—and how it would be declared four different times that Jesus was the Son of the living God. The very first declaration of Jesus being the Son of the living God would come straight from the Father Himself at the Jordan River when He would declare that this was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. Some time after that—Scripture is not clear—we find Jesus asking the disciples in Caesarea Philippi whom they said that He the Son of man was. Simon called Peter would emphatically declare and proclaim that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God—something which we must needs recognize and acknowledge for this would be the first time one of His own disciples would profess that He was the Son of the living God. That which makes this all the more astonishing and intriguing when you think about it is when you consider the offense the Jews had with Jesus making the claim that He was the Son of the living God and a Roman soldier at the cross on Golgotha making the wonderful declaration that Jesus was indeed the Son of the living God. Consider if you will the following words and passages which are found in the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John as well as within the gospels concerning the declaration the Roman centurion would make at Golgotha after witnessing Jesus breathing His last as well as the darkness which covered the land and the earthquake: “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:16-17). Consider if you will the following words which are found in the second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke concerning the declaration Jesus would make at the age of twelve unto Mary and Joseph concerning His Father and being about His Father’s business: “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their. Kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. ANd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:41-52). Now that we have considered the account of a twelve year old Jesus in the Temple speaking unto Mary and Joseph asking them if they weren’t aware and did not know that He must be about His Father’s business we must also come to the twenty-seventh chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew. If you begin reading with and from the fiftieth verse of this passage of Scripture you will find the account of the darkness which covered the face of the land from the sixth hour unto the ninth hour. Not only this but you will find the events leading up to the death of the Lord Jesus when He would breathe his last and would give up the ghost. It would be after Jesus would breathe His last and give up the ghost that an earthquake would strike the ground and would cause one of the Roman centurions who was present there at the time of His death to proclaim—whether audibly so only he himself heard it, or whether in a louder tone that those around him might hear it—that this was the Son of God. This is incredibly important for us to recognize for it would be yet another account when a declaration would be made concerning Jesus being the Son of God—this one coming perhaps just moments after He had given up the ghost and breathed his last. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the twenty-seventh chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew beginning with the forty-fifth verse: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and that that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: among which was Mary Magdalene, and mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children” (Matthew 27:45-56). Please do not miss that which took place at Golgotha at the death of the Lord Jesus for the apostle Matthew doesn’t merely record that the Roman centurion himself declared and professed that Jesus was the Son of God but also those who were with him also appeared to make the same declaration and profession. The apostle Matthew write that when the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus and saw the earthquake and those things which were done they not only feared greatly but they also emphatically declared that He was the Son of God. How absolutely incredible this truly is for from the age of twelve when Jesus would speak of being about His Father’s business until his death upon the cross there would be a wonderful and powerful declaration made concerning His identity as the Son. It would be at the Jordan River the Lord Jesus Christ would hear the voice of the Father proclaiming and professing that He was the beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. It would be in Caesarea Philippi where Simon called Peter would not only profess Jesus as being the Christ but also as being the Son of God. It would be at Capernaum where Simon Peter would once more declare and profess Jesus as being the Christ and the Son of the living God. With all of this being said we must recognize that when Jesus led Peter, James and John up this high mountain—not only would He be transfigured before their faces but a great cloud would overshadow them. It would be in the midst of that cloud which overshadowed them that the voice of the Father would speak and once more profess and proclaim Jesus as being His beloved Son. Not only this but there atop the mountain the Father would also call those who were present to hear and listen to Him. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in each of the gospels concerning this wonderful encounter these three disciples experienced—and not only in the gospels themselves but also in the second epistle which the apostle Peter wrote unto the saints which were scattered and suffering: “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high. Mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them, Moses and Elias talking w it’s him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:1-9). “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves” (Mark 9:2-8). “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias: not. Knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days and of those things which they had seen” (Luke 9:28-36). Now consider the following words which are found in the first chapter of the second epistle which the apostle Peter wrote unto the saints which were scattered and suffering beginning with the twelfth verse: “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able to after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:12-21). As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the incredible truth found in this passage of Scripture and how as the apostle Peter was preparing to depart from this life and from his earthly tabernacle he remembered the encounter he had upon the mountain. There at the end of his life he would recount being atop the mountain together with James and John as Jesus was transfigured before their faces and was clothed with unmeasurable and unspeakable glory and honor. There atop the mountain Jesus’ appearance would be completely altered as He would radiate and shine with the strength and glory of the sun and His garments would be as white as a garment which no fuller could whiten. What’s more is that there atop the mountain there would be a cloud which would overshadow them and a voice which spoke from the cloud declaring and proclaiming Jesus to be His beloved Son. Not only this but there atop the mountain the voice of the Father would speak out of the cloud and emphatically instruct them to hear and listen to to His Son. Oh if there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand is how absolutely incredible the reality of Idenity truly is—particularly and especially when we think about the Identity of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact I would dare say that our idenity is indeed derived from His identity and until and unless we settle in our hearts and spirits the identity of the Lord Jesus and who He is we can truly or fully know who we are and what our identity is. There is a great need within our hearts and spirits to recognize just who the person of the Lord Jesus truly is for it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is indeed the Christ, the Messiah and the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. Oh that we would settle within our hearts the true identity of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God and that we would emphatically declare, proclaim and profess Him to be Christ the Lord. Oh with this in mind I leave you with the following words which are found in second chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Philippian saints, the words which are found in the tenth chapter of the epistle written unto the Roman saints as well as the words which are found in the first chapter of the epistle written unto the Hebrews: “…Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:4-11). “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describe the the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh o n this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:4-9). “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.l But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:1-14).