And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:27-30 (ESV)
Muslims say Jesus was a prophet and teacher. Many Americans say that Jesus was a good man, nothing more. In biblical times, the people who knew of Jesus and had seen his miracles knew he was something special. They thought perhaps he was the reincarnation of Elijah or John the Baptist.
It was only someone who really knew him personally. Someone who had followed him, conversed with him, trusted him in impossible situations, and lived and traveled with him. It was only someone like that who could correctly identify this controversial, pivotal figure in history. Jesus. The Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples “Who do you say I am?”, it was like a lightbulb flashed on in Peter’s brain. Through the power of the God Himself, Peter is able to correctly identify His Messiah.
What an incredible gift! The same conversation is recorded in Matthew 16, but there is more to it. Jesus tells Peter that he is blessed because God the Father in heaven revealed this insight to him. He also says,
“And I tell you, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Recognizing the true identity of Jesus still has fantastic consequences for us today. When we acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, our Savior, and submit to His lordship in our lives, we are saved from our sins. Freedom from eternal punishment and from bondage here on earth.
Today, he is still asking us, “Who do you say I am?”
What will we answer? Do we simply believe that Jesus is a good man, prophet, or teacher? Or do you recognize that Jesus is the Christ?
When Peter said that Jesus was the Christ, there was a weight to the words. The Christ was the One who had been expected for thousands of years by the Jewish people. The Deliverer sent by God to redeem His people. The anointed One. The Chosen One. Son of God. Son of Man. The Very Word of God. Lion of Judah. Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor.
The Way. The Truth. The Life.
The Messiah.
And He still is today. Jesus is all those things because He loves us. He loved us enough to give His life for us. To suffer persecution and torture before dying with the weight of the sin of the whole world, of all time on Him. It was so stressful, He was literally sweating blood. But He did it because He loved each of us so much.
So, who do you say that He is? Has a lightbulb flashed on in your mind?
**If you haven’t had that lightbulb moment, get to know Jesus. Read the red words in the bible, the words of Jesus. Hear what He has to say, read of His miracles, and travel along with Him until you recognize Him for who He is.
Action Step: Let’s live with the knowledge of who He really is in the forefront of our minds. He died for us; let’s live for Him. In gratitude and devotion that is a constant presence in our lives. When you hear someone mention Jesus or mention God’s name (even when used in vain), let’s thank God for His amazing sacrifice and take a moment to turn and acknowledge that Jesus is who He said He was.
God, thank you so much for sending Jesus as our anointed One. Our Savior. We are so grateful for His sacrifice. Help us to live lives that honor the true identity of Jesus and all He has done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.