When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high having become so much better than the angels, as He has by an inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they (Hebrews 1:1-4).
God has spoken. In times past, He spoke to the fathers of Israel by the prophets. He spoke to them at sundry times- in many portions of time. He spoke to them in diverse manners- in many ways (varied in method or form).
In these last days, He has chosen to speak to us by His Son. After all God has done, who is Jesus to us?
In John 14:8, Philip asked Jesus to show them God- the Father. Jesus’ answer was, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me? He who has seen Me has seen the Father: so how can you say, “Show us the Father?” He wanted them to know that all His power and authority came from God. He only said and did what God wanted Him to say and do. This was true because He was the sent Savior of the world. I John 4:14 says this plainly: “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.” He is the sent Savior of the world to us.
It is so important to realize we cannot save ourselves. We have no means of covering our sins or making up for the wrong we have done. John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the One who could atone for our sins. In John 1:29, he declared, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” To us He is the One who saves us from our sins.
Jeremiah 14:8 says, “O the Hope of Israel, his Savior in the time of trouble, Why should You be like a stranger in the land, And like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?” Why should Jesus be a stranger to us- someone we don’t know? To us He is our Savior in all situations.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
Leave a comment