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Who do You Think that I Am?



Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?"
And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."



Matthew 16:13-16 (RSV)




In the light of Jesus' claims as to he is which we explored throughout Holy Week in his "I Am" statements, we, like the first disciples before us have to make our own assessment as to who Jesus is.


What follows is the daily litany that we used to guide our prayers throughout Holy Week, but the I AM sayings of Jesus are a good place to start our prayers and meditations any day of any week.





Jesus, you said, 'I am the gate for the sheep’
The way to the place of peace and security.
And you offer fullness of life.
Son of God, protect us.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the good shepherd',
who knows his flock and his flock knows him.
And you give your life for the flock.
Son of God, help us to follow you.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the bread of life',
You fed five thousand people with a young boy’s lunch.
Yours are the words of eternal life.
Son of God, feed us.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the true vine’.
And we are the branches
Pruned by our gardener God
Son of God, keep us abiding in you.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the light of the world',
You gave sight to a man born blind.
The darkness will never overcome you.
Son of God, help us to see.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life',
Reassuring your friends
The night before dishonesty and death seemed to cut your journey short.
Son of God, help us to trust you.

Jesus, you said, 'I am the resurrection and the life.'
You called Lazarus from his grave
and on the third day you rose from the dead never to die again.
Son of God, raise us up.
Amen.


Shalom

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