The Question – Who Is Jesus To You?
What if someone asked you the question, “Who do you say Jesus is?” what would your answer be? What if that someone was Jesus?
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, he often encountered the religious leaders who challenged and tested him. Yet, despite the signs they had seen and heard, their hardened hearts refused to believe that Jesus was Messiah, the promised One.
At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples what they understood about His identity. They had been with Jesus and witnessed the miracles he had performed, and now it was time for Jesus to further their understanding of him.
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?”[i] Matthew 16:13-15
First, Jesus asked the disciples who the people said he was, and then he directed the probing question directly to them; “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
Peter, the spokesman for the group, answered the question, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus tells Peter he is blessed and that his answer was revealed to him by God.
The disciples’ answer to what others say about Jesus seems somewhat academic. It’s easy to tell who Jesus is to us based on what we hear from or read by others. But if the question is directed at us, it becomes personal. Peter knew Jesus intimately and gave a personal answer because of his faith in Jesus and God’s revelation to him.
If Jesus were to look you in the eyes and ask you, “who do you say I am?” what would your response be?
I can relate to the disciples’ response. If you ask me who Jesus is, I could recite everything I have learned in the many Bible studies I have taken and the sermons I’ve heard preached. So, my answer would be academic and accurate. But God wants me to know him personally, and a more truthful and honest response would be what He has revealed to me.
My faith in Jesus and my experience with him enable me to answer the question from what God has revealed to me. He is the Savior of my soul and the healer of the heart. He is my peace in the chaos. He is my wisdom and guidance in a complicated and confusing world. And Jesus is the one who loves me forever and unconditionally. Jesus is the redeemer of my past, the hope for my future, and the security for my present.
In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter tells us “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.” (NIV) We should always be ready to answer the question, “Who is Jesus to you?”
Having a personal relationship with Jesus enables us to give a “Peter” answer rather than an academic presentation. We can answer what we know to be true rather than hear from others. And as we grow in our understanding of who He is, the Holy Spirit will reveal more and more to us. That should be a revelation we desire!
Blessed are those to whom God reveals Himself.
Application: Consider your life and think about how God has given you a revelation of Himself through His Word and your experiences with Him. Then, answer the questions, “Who do I say Jesus is?” and “Who is Jesus to me?”
Faithful Prayer: Lord, I want to know you better and love you more! Reveal yourself to me and enable me to experience you in new and fresh ways and then share You with others
© 2022 Robin R King
[i] Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
