Then he asked them

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2)

Divine Lord who has lavished such love on us, I give my little all in return

His was a voluntary offering for us. It was the world’s supreme act of self giving and had the greatest impact of any event in history.

100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?�

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ (Ephesians 4:15)

Christ our Living Head, help me to know true liberty that comes alone from surrender to Your will and way.

Maturity and the headship of Christ are intertwined in the Christian life.

When we try to lead our own lives and do not acknowledge His authority we live in spiritual immaturity.

100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

Dear Lord, my model for living, help me by your grace not to seek to be served, but to serve.

Here is my servant whom I have chosen (Matthew 12:18)

Imagine – the Sovereign of the universe – a servant! What a peerless paradox! ..we never find him pursuing his own interests. His whole life and ministry was for others 100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call him Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)

Immanuel, abide with me all through life. Thus , enriched by Your fellowship, strengthened by your presence, and led by your guidance, I shall be able to walk life’s path victoriously

He is still God with us. He has promised he will “never leave” or “forsake” us ( Hebrews 13:5). He is always the contemporary Christ 100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)

.Paul

Father, thank you for giving me Your very best . In return I give myself to you

was writing to the church at Corinth on the subject of giving. He stressed liberality and emphasized that the Christian enriches himself by his giving and so should give, not sparingly, but bountifully. He climaxed his discourse with an exclamation of how extravagantly God has given to us, describing Christ as “His indescribable gift 100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

I am the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13)

Eternal Christ, be the alpha and Omega in my life. Be in all my beginnings, and all my endings.

He is the Lord of our beginnings and endings. He is at the thresholds of our lives – birth, growing up, at the marriage altar, start of career, when first child comes…. He is there in our ending – when we leave home, leave a place or friends behind, loose a loved one, retire ,die.

100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy

Then he asked them “But who do you say I am?”

If you knew the gift of God…you would have asked Him and he would have given you Living water (John 4:10)

Christ, our Living Water, You alone can satisfy the deepest thirsts and yearnings of my soul.

Wash from my hands the dust of earthly striving; Take from my mind the stress of secret fear ; Cleanse Thou the wounds from all but Thee far hidden, And when the waters flow let my healing appear. ( Albert Osborn)