“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15 NIV
Who is Jesus? This is a question that Jesus asked His disciples twice. The first time, He asked who the people around them said He was. And they replied with a variety of answers. Most people identified Him with one of the prophets of old who had come back. They knew He was not just an ordinary teacher wandering around the countryside. But they had no certain knowledge of who He was.
Next, Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was. This is a very different question. And it is quite personal. While it would be easy to rattle off an answer they thought would satisfy Jesus, that is not what He wanted. He was asking them if they were sold out to Him? Or just hanging around? Was He the Messiah? Or just a prophet?
Who Is Jesus?
This is a question that I believe Jesus asks each of His followers. Who do we say that Jesus is? And more important than who we say He is with our lips, is who we say He is with our lives. We may be able to give a solid biblical answer to the question of Jesus’ identity. But is that reflected in who we are and what we do?
Who is it that we are following? Is He Lord and God having the ultimate claim over my life? One that I have given my life to serve? Or is He something else? Someone who is a bit more comfortable and who does not require quite so much from me? Can we honestly respond with Peter, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God?” That my entire life is in your hands to do with as you wish.
