A Revelation

Identity has become a big issue where many believe survival is the norm. We live in a generation that is in an emotional and psychological survival mode. Identity is defined by how a person sees themselves in relation to other people, including their race, gender, sexuality, nationality, family norms, culture, and personal values. 

In the book of Ephesians, Paul prays we will have a fresh revelation of who Christ is. When you have a revelation of who your Savior is, you gain a new perspective on who you are. This happened to Peter. Peter was part of Jesus’ inner circle. They were in a place called Caesarea Philippi, which is in the north of Galilee. It was a pagan city. There is a large cave there called Banias, which in Greek mythology was one of the openings to the underworld. It was a place of spiritual darkness. It seems unusual, yet really not, that Jesus would take the disciples from their normal journey around the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem all the way north, to Banias. 

Jesus asks His disciples, in this place of extreme idolatry, who men say that He is. Jesus had no problem with His identity. He knew who He was from the time He was a child. At the age of twelve, He said He was about His Father’s business. He understood His identity. But in this moment, He wanted the disciples to tell Him who people were saying He was. Peter speaks up and says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus immediately calls Peter blessed. He says, “You didn’t discover this on your own. It was revealed to you by my Father in Heaven.” He goes on to change the disciple’s name from Simon to Peter, which means “rock.” In this moment, supernaturally, Peter’s eyes are opened, and he has a revelation of Jesus. 

When we have a revelation of who God is, we gain a new revelation of who we are. The more we know God, the more we know who we are in Him, and the more we will understand our purpose here on Earth. We may not get a new name like Peter did, but just like him, we will gain confidence and a new identity in Christ. You are a new creation.