Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

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." - Matthew 16:13-14

Martie and I had a discussion this morning about something that was said during the sermon that sparked my little grey cells, as Hercule Poirot would say. What was it you ask? Something Jesus said.

So everyone who acknowledges me [Jesus] before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:32-33

What is there to acknowledge? Well, who Jesus was and is and will be. In Matthew 16 the disciples said that the people thought He was John the Baptist. Some the prophet Elijah. Others Jeremiah. And still others one of the other prophets.  So then Jesus asked ....

“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 16:15-17

You see the people were aware of Jesus, but did not know that He was the Messiah - the Christ. But the disciples, specifically Peter, knew Who He was. And Jesus said the only way that Peter could know that was if God had revealed it to Peter. You see - that was a spiritual truth - not one that men could derive by merely observing Jesus life. Oh - they knew he was religious - but they did not know that He was the Son of God - the Messiah - the Promised One that all of the Jews - over the generations had been waiting for.

OK - so what about the reference in Matthew 10 about denial. For me to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ before men would mean that Jesus would acknowledge me before the Father. If I did not acknowledge Jesus before men as the Christ it would mean that I was not born again - that I did not understand who Jesus was - is and will be forever.

Many people know about Jesus but do not know Jesus as Lord. They may know all of the descriptors used about Jesus but do not understand the spiritual significance. Like Peter told Nicodemus in John chapter 3. Jesus said .... 

Truly, truly, I [Jesus] say to you [Nicodemus], unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. .... So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? - John 3

You see - Nicodemus was equivalent to a seminary professor - but did not understand spiritual truth - just the facts that anyone who was not born again could read and understand naturally.

Many people go to church and think that is what makes them a Christian or perhaps their parents were Christians - but they must be born again by the Spirit to be a child of God and have eternal life.

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:10-12

So who do you say Jesus is?

if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. - Romans 10:9-10

And if you have, perhaps you know someone who has not.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone