“Who do you say I am?”

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Matthew 16:13-16

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

There is nothing quite like going away on a retreat with a group of friends. You turn off the phone, interrupt the routine, and prepare yourself to move into a deeper faith experience.

This is exactly what Jesus had in mind when He took His closest disciples up to Caesarea Philippi, which was about twenty-five miles north of their Sea of Galilee ministry headquarters. But Jesus threw them a curve ball when He picked this place. This place was notorious for the worship of the pagan fertility god, Baal. It was given the name Caesarea Philippi by Rome as a political move to disconnect the region from indigenous pagan ritual. The Jewish people wanted nothing to do with the place so they went so far as to name the most popular shrine “The Gates of Hell.”

Perhaps even more unusual than the place Jesus took the disciples was the question He wanted them to answer: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples offered a bunch of answers. “John the Baptist!” someone blurted. “Elijah!” offered another. “Jeremiah or one of the other prophets!” another guy shouted. Then Jesus asked them “Who do you say I am?” That's the important question isn't it? Then, over all the noise, Peter shouts, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

The question "Who is Jesus?" is a very important one. Peter got it right, he answered Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." What does this mean? And what does it mean for us?

First of all, Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the One God chose to be the revealer of the Kingdom, and our King, Savior, and life giver. He is the One God promised long ago to send into this world. As we hear and discuss during Advent/Christmas season, the Old Testament prophets anticipated His coming.

This means Jesus is one on whom we can rely. He is not some self-appointed Messiah who will let us down, or run when the pressure comes, or disappear in challenging times. Jesus has the full authority of God behind Him. The Gospels emphasize that for us with stories of Jesus’ authority over Truth, and unclean spirits, sickness, yes even wind and waves. The point is that whatever Jesus says and does is what God sent Him to do and say. "Who ever has seen me, has seen the Father" said Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is trustworthy.

Second, Jesus is the Son of the living God. Jesus is not simply a man, He is in fact God Himself, the “God-Man” who become a human being among us. This means Jesus is not limited. As the Bible says, "He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25a). As the Son of God, His suffering and death on the cross are enough to rescue every one of us, and to raise us from the dead, just as He Himself rose, "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (I Corinthians 15:20)

By the way, this was not a safe statement that Peter made. It was rather explosive, it was “politically incorrect.” To the Jew, this answer was blasphemous, and to the Roman, treasonous. Peter’s declaration at Caesarea Philippi announced the foundational truth of a movement that continues to change the world today, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

That is good news for us today and everyday, Jesus is one who has authority over the things that burden us, Jesus is one who is unlimited in power, and Jesus is the one we can fully trust.

LET US PRAY 

God, what a blessing it is to confess Jesus Christ as God and Savior. Thank You for making Yourself known to us, so that I too can declare with Simon Peter and with all the saints, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Continue to guide me into all truth, I pray, and may my life be a testimony to the truth that Christ alone has the words of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

TAKE AWAY ACTION

 Which name or title of Jesus is closest to your heart, and why?