Who Do You Say That I Am?
Who Do You Say That I Am?
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, 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.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 16:13-17
There are many ideas of who Jesus was/is.
- Some people say He was a good teacher.
- Others say He was a charismatic leader.
- Still, others say He wasn’t even real.
But who do you say Jesus is?
This is the question Jesus asked the disciples. The disciples make it clear that even back in Jesus’ day, there were a lot of ideas of who He was. However, Peter, speaking for all the disciples, said something amazing.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In the end, this is the question we all must answer.
Despite so many ways that people respond, there are really only two answers. Either we answer with Peter,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,”
or we say
“Jesus isn’t the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Like Peter, however, we cannot come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ of our own intellect or will.
Rather, God reveals Himself to us through His Word.
Thanks be to God that He does work through His Word to create faith in His people that we can confess He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Without the Father revealing this to us, we would be lost. So, let us not only confess that to each other but to all those around us that others may hear and believe.
Heavenly Father,
May You reveal to each one of us today that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Help us to believe. Then, help us to confess this boldly to as many people as we can that they might be brought to faith through Your Word.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
