Viewpoints

 This week, our church is hosting a VBS Camp (Very Best Summer), where we have the fantastic opportunity to teach the next – generation about who Jesus is and ask the question – do you believe in who Jesus claims to be? Those attending our camp will have various perspectives about Jesus. Some will know Him as their Savior. Others will know Him by name but have no idea the significance of knowing Jesus as Lord. Then there will be others who don't know Him at all – and we welcome every one of these perspectives, ideas, and, yes, the unfamiliarity of Jesus.

Jesus welcomes these different viewpoints about His identity so that He, in turn, can introduce them to the truth – He is the Messiah. Clarity about Jesus is vital; this perspective influences how we view people and the world around us (Romans 12:2; Philippians 3:8). This is why Jesus made time with His disciples to ask them two important questions, first – “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:14, CSB). Then the follow-up question – “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, CSB). Like the disciples, Jesus wants those who attend our camp to share what they have heard about Him and spend some time learning about the truth of His identity. The hope is that by the end of this week, they are boldly saying what Simon Peter proclaims “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (v.16).

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