Matthew 16:15b But whom say ye that I am?

How many names and titles are there for Jesus Christ? Let us be clear here, Christ itself is a title and not a name. Jesus of Nazareth is The Anointed One. But the telling of the names and titles for Jesus Christ goes way back deep into the Old Testament. There are over 200 names and titles credited by scholars which depict responsibilities and authorities. Captain of the Army of the Lord is one and if you want to argue the validity of that claim, I do not mind because there are so many others, some of which are unmistakable.

Consider this in light of all those names, Jesus is asking Peter personally to answer “Who am I?” This is personal, direct and chargeable. Peter’s answer at the time was perfect to the moment and consideration for the need of that answer.

Matthew 16:16b Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus was not yet the Savior of the world. All references of Savior in the Old Testament were in reference to the work to be done and not as if it had already been performed. That would come by means of the work of the Cross of Christ, His free will sacrifice and resurrection.

But what would have been Peter’s answer to that question after the resurrection? We do not know because Jesus had no need to ask Peter again.

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Peter called Him Lord.

Now getting back to personal accountability, Jesus is asking you, “Who do you say I am?”

Genesis 28:8-9 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

While reading from Genesis in research for yesterday’s devotional on Rebekah, I spotted this little perfect example of human behavior. It is spite but it is born of resentment.

Did Esau choose a daughter of Ismael because he could identify with Ismael in the loss of his birthright and blessing? Perhaps, but there is the (;) which connects Isaac’s displeasure with Esau’s action. What could possibly displease Isaac more than his marrying a Canaanite woman? In some way I would say Esau’s choice was getting back at his father for not undoing history and making things right for him.

When we harbor resentments we make things worse for ourselves. Making choices on how to hurt someone out of resentment is not the path to reconciliation. Relations become further strained, repair becomes all that more difficult. We distance ourselves from the love that we once had, for Isaac did love Esau. (Gen. 25:28)

Much of what Esau suffered in his relationship with Isaac occurred over his choice of wives. It is obvious from Isaac displeasure that either Esau failed to seek his father’s counsel or knew his father’s wishes and did what he wanted anyway. In either case, Esau initiated Isaac’s displeasure.

Esau did nothing to repent of his actions and made things worse by choosing perhaps the one path that could make things worse between his father and himself.

Is this within the heart of those who love the Father? If we do not get our way because we chose badly, do we do things to make it worse? Or do we confess our faults and seek restoration?