Who Do You Say I Am?

Last Life Gathering at XA U-Belt I shared about the passage in Matthew 16:13-19 where Jesus asks his disciples who they think he really is. Jesus’ true identity has been a subject of debate for centuries, and it hasn’t change until today. Who really Jesus? But the more important question that Jesus poses to the disciples, as well as to each of us is this: “Who do you say I am?” Let’s dive into the story.

THE WORLD’S OPINION

Jesus takes his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi (v. 13), recently renamed after the Roman Caesar. It was once called Panaea after the Greek god Pan who was worshiped there by the people. And it is in this place that Jesus chooses to disclose His true identity.

He asks his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  I don’t think Jesus was fishing for the latest buzz about him. He’s up to something. And they replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (v. 14). 

The world has varying opinions about who Jesus is. It’s like asking 10 people one question and getting 10 different answers from them. Some people believe that Jesus was just a man; that he was a good man, a good teacher, or even a powerful prophet. Others believe that Jesus is a god; that he is just one of the many gods or that there’s a more powerful god other than him. Still others reject the idea that God exists at all.

If you look to the world to tell you who Jesus is, I’m sorry to say that you will only fall short of it. No one wants to be short-changed. The Bible says that the world cannot recognize Jesus’ true identity (John 1:10). The sin in man cannot recognize Jesus for who he really is (2 Co 4:4). It always wants to rebel and live independent of him.

PETER’S CONFESSION

Jesus shifts from talking about what people were saying to what his followers were saying. Coming from Jesus himself, whose identity is being questioned, the question arrests, confronts, and demands an answer from the person being asked. And Jesus asks the same question to you today, “What about you? Who do you say I am” (v. 15)?  

It’s not so important now what the world thinks about who Jesus is. Now the more important question to ask yourself is “What do you believe about Jesus?” 

Not many people are ready to answer that question. Some people tend to resign themselves to what their parents have already believed in. You may claim, “My family has been in this religion since I was born (or since my great-great-ancestor).” But by doing that you have denied yourself the right to know for yourself the truth. I challenge you to investigate and find out for yourself.

God promises that those who seek the truth will have their reward. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Je 33:3). Like Peter and John, one who seeks and finds the truth themselves can say with strong conviction, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20) even in the face of opposition. 

Still others try to run away from Jesus’ probing question. Perhaps because by confronting it they may have to give up certain privileges or habits; or they will be forced to take responsibility of their actions. Or worse, they will have to deal with the uncertainty of their future. But no matter how much you run away from it, you will answer for it ‘til the end of your life—who do you say Jesus is?

True to his character, it was Peter who responds to Jesus’ question, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (v. 16). To declare Jesus as Messiah is to recognize him as the promised king and deliverer of Israel, but to call him “Son of the Living God,” he could be charged for blasphemy and be stoned to death. But Jesus doesn’t protest. In fact, he confirms it. 

What’s interesting about Jesus’ claims is that they are not vague, but they are sure; it will not make you second guess, it’s confrontational, even controversial. For Jesus to affirm that he is the “Messiah, the Son of the Living God” means that others are not. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In a world that believes in pluralism and relativism, tiptoeing on political correctness, Jesus challenges the world’s ways head on.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Apart from Jesus, we can’t be saved. Your life and eternity depends on Jesus! So why run when you can repent and receive him today?

THE FATHER’S REVELATION

Jesus’ affirms Peter’s declaration, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (v. 17). To know Jesus to the extent of recognizing him as Savior and Lord, you are indeed favored and blessed! But Jesus’ doesn’t credit Peter’s initiative, but sees it as a result of divine revelation from his Father. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

But you may ask, “Does that mean that God chooses to favor certain people with this revelation over the other? Doesn’t that violate God’s character of love and compassion?” Paul responses with a resounding “no”:

“What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God’s part? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion … What if God, although fully intending to show [the awfulness of] His wrath and to make known His power and authority, has tolerated with much patience the vessels (objects) of [His] anger which are ripe for destruction?” Romans 9:14-23, Amplified version (I suggest that you make a thorough reading of this passages). 

We cannot accuse God of injustice because (1) God is holy and just, and because of our sins, we all deserve God’s judgment in the first place; (2) Paul puts it in a form of a question: What if God’s been merciful with us all along, before allowing judgment (because of our rebellion) to catch up on us? Our capacity to understand God’s sovereign choice is limited. One thing is certain, the Bible says, “[The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 

Today that merciful hand is also extended to you, so that you can accept God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Today, Jesus is asking you, “Who do you say I am?” And I pray that you will come to recognize him as Peter had said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!”