Bible Verse: “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15 CSB
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Several years ago, a young child came up behind me and hugged my leg, saying, “Hi, Daddy.”
I turned around to find the child stunned and embarrassed when they realized I was not their dad. I felt terrible for the kid, but there wasn’t much I could do other than try and help them laugh about it.
Jesus has never been immune to people mistaking His identity.
Today’s reading shows how Jesus came with His disciples to Caesarea Philippi. There, He asked them who people thought He was.
Based on the names mentioned, most people seemed to view Jesus as a prophet. The fact that Jeremiah is listed might also indicate they saw Him as a prophet who tended to have a “doomsday” message as Jeremiah did. Still, the idea that Jesus was a prophet meant He was seen as a significant teacher in Israel at the time.
Even today, we still see people with various ideas about Jesus’ identity. In the general population, people tend to believe Jesus was a good moral teacher and leader, while most religions see Him as a wise man and even a prophet.
But Jesus asks His disciples another question: “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answers: “You are the Messiah – the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Peter identifies Jesus as the anointed one of God, but even more, He was God Himself. This identity is far greater than being a prophet or a good teacher. For a Jew, to call Jesus the Son of God meant you were saying He is God.
Jesus’ answer to Peter?
You are correct, and you are blessed!
Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of God, who came as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament to redeem people from their sins.
Was Jesus a good teacher? Yes. Was He a good, moral person? Yes. Did He do some incredible miracles? Yes.
But those things were not His identity. To truly understand Jesus, you must get His identity right.
Who do you say Jesus is?
This is the most critical question you will ever answer because your eternal destiny hinges on it.
Prayer: God, help me to see the real Jesus this week. Reveal all half-truths about Jesus I have believed and give me an accurate picture of the one who came to be Lord of my life. Amen.
Reflection: Who would you say Jesus is? Ask three friends or family members (including people who are not Christians) to answer the same question and see what you can learn about what people believe regarding Jesus.
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