Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13
Some questions are just to get us warmed up. They make us think of a range of answers and settle on the one we believe to be the right one, the truth. This is why Jesus asked this question the way He did.
He seeded this question by addressing himself with a title, the Son of Man. However, the answer the disciples gave for who others thought he was, wasn’t the title Jesus used. They answered people in general thought He was Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah, or some other prophet. They called him good teacher and Rabbi. Pharisees called him horrible names.
Today non-Christians call Jesus a good teacher or a leader. Muslims call Him a prophet. Cults have other incorrect titles for Jesus.
Jesus seeded the question with the title He used for himself, Son of Man. This is a reference to Daniel 7. In the Heavenly vision Daniel sees one as a Son of Man approaching the throne of God in final victory over evil. This is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. This is Jesus.
After asking about those who didn’t know him, said to the disciples,
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16
Peter is correct. Jesus tells him only God, through the Holy Spirit, could reveal this knowledge. Jesus is the Son of God, incarnate as the Son of Man.
Jesus answered and said to 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 16:17
The question is one we must all answer. Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone who believes. A good teacher, leader or prophet didn’t die for our sins. The Son of God, incarnate as the Son of Man, did. Christianity rests on this.
Contemplation: Who do I say in my heart is Jesus Christ? Am I a believer?
