Pastor's Corner: 'Who do you say that I am?'

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” This is arguably the greatest question ever posed to mankind, but what is noteworthy about the conversation Jesus had with His disciples that day was the question that came earlier. In Matthew 16:13-14, Jesus asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? The disciples replied, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” In a sense, this is still what people are saying today. Jesus knew that the masses were unsure of who He was, but He wanted the testimony of his 12 disciples on the record. The question is why? The answer, because Jesus was none other than God in the flesh.

If people can claim Jesus to be someone different than who He truly is, or who He claimed to be, they effectively recreate a post-modern Jesus. They fashion Him in an image of their own making. This is why the question is so important. When Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

In response to Peter’s proclamation, Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” In other words, Jesus affirms Peter’s words. He acknowledges that He is the Anointed One, the greater Son of David, the Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. But more than this, it was a claim to His eternality. He was the King who would reign over an eternal kingdom forever.

Who we say Jesus is means everything, because if Jesus isn’t who He said He is, then Christianity falls. So I have this question for you: Have you ever examined His claims? Have you considered His words from scripture and taken them to heart? If so, have you concluded that He is Lord? Or do you make Him out to be someone less?

A recent Pew survey said 70 percent of the U.S. population claim to be Christian. If this is correct, then roughly 228 out of 327 million people in American have acknowledged Him as God and are living under His Lordship. This statistic made me self-reflect on the question Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-26, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take us his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Jesus makes it clear that His followers are to surrender their lives to Him. This meant something much different to the early church, as Christians were often killed for refusing to bow and worship Caesar, choosing instead to honor Christ with their lives.

What about today? Are Christians living up to the tradition of self-denial and worship of Christ that was demonstrated in the early church? There are many patriots who say that our nation was paid for by the blood of men and women who gave their lives to preserve the constitution and our freedom. How much more has the church’s loyalty to Christ been paid for by the blood of the saints? Fact is this is still happening today in places where Christians are persecuted.

The question remains “Who do you say that I am?” All who have taken time to read this article will someday answer that question. My prayer is that you will contemplate these things and answer this question today. To wait is to tempt fate, and may leave you in a situation where you will have to answer that question to Jesus face to face.

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Scott Adams

Elder Immanuel Church