we view those we come in contact with, and how we think people looking at us would describe us.

The question that I think the author of Mark wants us to recognize in these short three verses is one that it is not just about Jesus's divinity, which is essential, and how God's kingdom is in-breaking into our world with Jesus's presence here on earth. I think it is also a chance for us to reflect upon who we are as God's people and what makes each the person we are.

We enter into this season of Lent, as a time meant for us to reflect on Jesus going to the cross to save us from our sin. To repent for the sins, we have and will commit and to refocus on our relationship with God.

In this Lenten season, when you ask yourself the question, 'who do people say I am?" Just as Peter tells Jesus when he asked the same question to say proclaim and claim that you are a child of God created in God's image. Perfectly imperfect, but still wonderfully made, and that it is in God's image we are unique to each other perfect in God’s eyes. Even though we are flawed individuals and don’t always get it right. God still loves and cares for us, and it is in that image that we, as followers of Christ, can live out who we are and make sure that no one takes that away from any of God's people. For God claims and redeems us for who we are. Granting us the gift of grace not out of anything we have done but out of love for who you are as a person, a perfectly imperfect person.