If Jesus were to ask you today, “Who do you say I am?”, what would your answer be?
Who do you say I am? The most important question in which our answer is so crucial. Our response determines what our relationship to God is like, how we live our life here and where we will go when we die.
In my church Bible study, we have begun to study the Gospel according to John. The first chapter speaks of Jesus’ deity and power. John describes Jesus as the Word, the true light and the life.
John says that Jesus is God incarnate. Therefore, the disciples walked with God himself and spoke with God himself. The disciples touched God, breathed in the same air as God, and saw the smile and frown of God.
Who the world says Jesus is
Jesus is God but the world doesn’t know it. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him (John chapter 14, verse 17).
Many religious people have thoughts on Jesus and some even claim to worship Him. A Hindu prays to a Jesus statue that sits on his shelf. His Jesus statue is just one of the many gods he has ornaments of and prays to. A Buddhist might honour Jesus as a great moral teacher and even try to follow some of his teachings, such as, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
A Muslim also puts Jesus high up on a pedestal. Yet Jesus, sitting close to Mohammad, is only a great prophet. A historian likes to investigate the period in which Jesus lived and is curious about the fact so many of his followers died for Jesus.
An atheist believes Jesus existed but may see Him as a threat to their way of life. No matter their background, all these people believe they have got it right. They therefore don’t take time to ponder the question, “Who do you say I am?”.
The Bible is clear about such people; they have rejected God. Yet there is hope for unbelievers, the very same hope that we received when we, believers, turned to God. Let us not forget that we once did not know Jesus.
Who believers say Jesus is
As believers, we are all on a journey of discovery as we get to know Jesus more. Jesus is our friend who we meet with daily so we can ask questions of his character, morals and beliefs. Jesus is our King who directs us to understanding Himself.
Jesus is the second person of the trinity through whom we we are given access to God. Jesus came to show us who God is and what God is like. Believers of Jesus say, “Jesus is God”.
Therefore, as believers, let’s proclaim our friend, King and Saviour to the world so everyone else can answer the question, “Who do you say I am?” in the way that we do.
Answering the question
C.S. Lewis wrote, “You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool; you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God”.
When Jesus returns in all His glory, He will not appear as a moral teacher, minor prophet or little statue. He will appear as a mighty warrior and king. Therefore, those on earth who refuse to tackle and wrestle with the question, “Who do you say I am?”, will suffer the eternal punishment and wrath of God.
Therefore, I encourage you, if you haven’t spent time formulating a considered and backed up response to the most important question in the universe, I suggest you do so now.
Look at Peter’s response to the question as follows:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
(Matthew chapter 16, verse 13 to 16)
Renee Jenner resides in Sydney, Australia and is currently in her third year of studying Social Work. She is the first born of home-base missionary parents whose ministry has made a huge impression on her heart. She always writes from the soul to the soul, desiring to encourage readers to enjoy God, relax in His goodness and spread His love to the utmost parts of the earth. She loves a good cuppa with a deep, thoughtful conversation. You can find her other writings at renee.jenner.wordpress.com