In Matthew's gospel we read in Chapter 16 verses 13 - 16:

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, 'Some say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say that I am?'

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.'

So who is Jesus?

Well, to some people of his day, Jesus was a crazed man. To be fair to them in their misjudgement, if we saw someone walking the streets of streets of our home town or city today, saying 'I'm the Son of God,' then we would react the same way. In fact we would expect to read about their arrest in the news or hear reports about them being taken into hospital.

Who is Jesus?  To some non-Christians today, he is a kind, wise teacher, but no more. Jesus is certainly not someone we should follow or commit our lives to, there would be too much to lose.

Who is Jesus? To some Christians, he is God's Son, but he surely doesn't expect us to live up to His standards -- forgiving those who hurt us, sacrificing to help
the poor, loving even those who do not 'deserve' it.

We're only after all! We have to live in the 'real world.'

Who is Jesus and what should He be to us?

He should be our Master, our Lord, our Very Best Friend. We should consult him on every decision we make - whether it's about business, school, relationships, how to spend our money or what we do with our spare time.

When I look back and see the big mistakes that I've made it's not because I've not talked it through with my wife Rosie. It's not because I've not taken the advice of my parents or friends.  

Things have gone wrong because I've neglected to seek the will of God before making a choice!

When I look back and see times that I've fallen into sin - it's because I've taken my focus off Jesus.

Think about it - if the people who know us - family, friends, class mates, colleagues really look closely at us are they be able to tell that Jesus is our master?

Everything we do or say is 'His' business. Every corner of our lives is his to control, and he wants to do it - lovingly and for our own good.

We should turn to him with our joys and our sorrows. We need to study his word daily, asking the Lord to help us apply it to our lives.

The Lord does hold us to his standards. Although he is always standing with open arms, eager to forgive us when we fail him, the Lord's goal for us is to aim high, to follow in his footsteps.

I'm talking to myself here - I'm going to ask Jesus to help me live the life expected of a child of the King. I'm asking him to help me live up to the Father's standards.

Lord - I want people to see Jesus in me 24/7. Father, at work, whether I'm on air or just at the radio station in the office let people see and hear you in me.

Lord, whether I'm on stage, in the wings or the rehearsal room help me behave according to your standards.

Father, may all that I say, write, think and feel - glorify the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Lord, before I make decisions about my life and my family may I seek your will and  guidance.

Father, 'Whether I turn to the right or to the left may my ears hear a voice behind me saying, "this is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

As you read this message I urge you to join me in asking Jesus to help us to truly allow Him to be Master of all areas of our lives.