I have wondered over and over again on the reason why Jesus asked His disciples the above questions. But I have also realized that God deals with us on individual basis. He gave us the power of choice and expects us to reason differently based on our encounter in life. I am sure that Jesus expected the differences in the responses of people about His personality.

God is a Personal God who enters into personal, intimate relationships with individuals and with groups of individuals. But the most important thing is how people who had been with Him saw Him. The answer Peter gave was not a fleshly generated one. It was indeed a result of an encounter. No wonder Paul made it clear in I Corinthians 2:11 that For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Thank God that Peter had an encounter and was able to share it by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Without divine revelation we would remain forever ignorant about God, ourselves, our world, and our destinies. Nobody needed to preach to Paul again after his Damascus experience. Have you had the encounter? Is there any divine experience of His revelation to you, even the ones you cannot explain with words of mouth? If there is none, you need to check if something is missing. We all need to have the assurance of salvation.

Prayer: Give me clearer picture of your nature as I experience your power, mercy and greatness day by day my Lord and my Redeemer.