Introduction
In today’s world we have so much stress put on our identity, who we are, and what is our status in society. How do you respond when someone asks you who are you? The average person responds to that question by telling the other person what they do for a living. We often define who we are by what we do. In our society who we are seems so important. When we stand in a line at the grocery store we can see on the magazines the who’s who in the celebrity world. Many idealize sports stars, fortune 500 presidents and many others. In our society we have become obsessed with titles. In Fact, some have gone through great lengths to embellish their titles to glamorize or promote who they are.
Here are some I have found:
1. Colour Distribution Technician – Painter & Decorator
2. Domestic Technician – Housewife
3. Highway Environmental Hygienist – Road Sweeper
4. Gastronomical Hygiene Technician – Dish Washer
5. Media Distribution Officer – Paper Boy
6. Sanitation Consultant – Toilet Cleaner
7. Garboligist – Garbage man
In Matthew 16:13-20. When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi and He asked the Disciples this question: Who do People Say that I am? I want to look at that statement “Who do people say that I am” Who is this Jesus? The Disciples responded by saying some say; John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. The Scriptures are full of descriptions of who this Messiah is. I have four “who” questions I want to explore the first being the question that Jesus asked His disciples: “who do people say that I am” Let’s look who did people say that Jesus was and is.
I. Who do people say that I am?
Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The angel to Mary (Luke 1 :30-33)
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Nicodemus (John 3:1-2)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Nicodemus called Jesus a Rabbi and a teacher that comes from God.
The disciples (Mark 4:41)
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Barclay notes that for us today Jesus brings us peace in our storms of sorrows, problems and in times of anxiety. Even our storms today obey Him.
The Samaritan women (John 4:19)
Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
Judas (Matthew 27:4)
After betraying Jesus and realizing what he had done, Judas stated in Matthew 27:4: “I have sinned...for I have betrayed innocent blood.
God the Father (Matthew 17:5)
At the transfiguration a voice came from the clouds and said: “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased, listen to Him”.
Throughout Scriptures there are numerous descriptions of who Jesus this is.
Here has been a few confessions of many confession in the Bible about who this Jesus is.
II. Who do you say that Jesus is?
This leads me to the second “who” question. In verse 15 Jesus asks his disciples another question. Yes it is similar to the first question, but yet completely different. In verse 13 Jesus had asked who do people say the Son of Man is, but here in verse 15 Jesus asked his disciples “who do you say that I am?” Jesus took a broad question and brought it down to the personal. “Who do YOU say that I am? He was not looking for what other had said, but Jesus was looking for an “I believe statement”.
Jesus is looking for a real and personal response form us. Jesus is not looking for what our parents believed about Him. Jesus is not looking for what our pastor believes about him and He is not looking for what we read about Him in the numerous books that are out there. Jesus wants to hear who we say that He is!
We need to decide if we truly believe if Jesus is our Messiah, our Saviour and our redeemer or if He was merely a good man or a prophet as some people have claimed.
Some have claimed that Jesus was just a fabrication, that He never existed. Some, like Gandhi said he was a good man and a good teacher. Some groups say he was just a prophet and not the Son of God.
We need to decide if God sending His son to this earth and dying on the Cross was necessary for us to have a relationship with God and forgiveness of sin. Do we believe that without Jesus there would be no hope?
Who do you say that I am?
Peter responded to that question in verse 16 and said “You are the Christ”
This is the answer that Jesus is looking for. This response means more than salvation; it is a response that will bring a joy unspeakable.
I love this quote:
If we say that Jesus is “The Christ” then we must move aside from the throne of our own life and let Him rule. If he was the greatest offering of love that could be given to humanity, then we must embrace that love and live each day in the knowledge of just how much God loves us.
1 John 4:15-17 states:
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
III. Who do you say that Jesus is to others
The third “who” question I want to ask you is this: “who do you say that I am when others ask?” How do you answer someone when they ask what is different about you?
Are you able to put into words what Jesus means to you? It is the greatest opportunity you will ever have to share with someone else what Jesus has done for you. But wait! You do not know how hard it is for me to share my faith with someone else. It is true some have a real gift for sharing the gospel with other people. BUT, But, But! Nobody has the gift of telling your story of faith and hope better than you.
It’s your story, not mine, yours. Often we think that we need to give some elaborate sermon of what Jesus has done for mankind and that is why so many Christians shy away from sharing Jesus with others.
If someone is asking you who Jesus is to you or what is different about you most likely have a relationship with them in some way or another. Relationship will give you the biggest open door to share. You have gained their trust. Furthermore, they are probably not looking for a huge theological answer. They are looking for your own words; they are looking for your personal response.
Share what your life was like before Jesus; share how Jesus became apart of your life; and share how Jesus transformed your life. Often when we prepare for mission trips we tell our team members to prepare a brief testimony ahead of time. It helps to write out what you want to say ahead of time. Simpler is often the easiest to remember. And guess what? The more you share the hope you have in Jesus Christ the more it will feel natural to you. It’s your story, tell it!
Napoleon once said about Jesus: “I know men and Jesus Christ is more that a man” Sometimes a brief statement such as Napoleon’s can be so effective.
IV. Who do you say that I am with your actions?
The last “who” question I want to ask you is this: “who do you say that I am with your actions”. People are watching us. Are we living lives that tell others who our Jesus is? Or are we living lives that leave people questioning and confused. For many years I lived my life for myself and you may have heard me refer to myself during that period of my life as an undercover agent for Christ. Guess what? Instead of being a 007 old out agent for God I was a 00 –nothing. God does not need any undercover agents. He needs men and women that are willing to live a life that exemplifies who Christ is. What kind of legacy are you leaving with you family, friends and fellow workers and students?
Do people see Jesus in us when we are at a sporting event? How about at community events; or in our business dealing? Do people see Jesus when we are out for coffee or dinner; how about at the movies? I think you get the point. Who do you say that Jesus is to you with your actions?
Ephisians 5:8-17 states:
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true – these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busy work, the barren pursuits of Darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandle when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep. Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingkly. Make sure you understand what the master wants.
In daylight and in darkness live a life that led by the true light of Jesus. Who do you say that Jesus is to you with your actions?
Conclussion:
So in coclussion I just want to reiterate the four “who” questions I asked.
1. Who did people say that Jesus was and is? What a great idea for a person Bible study time exploring and studying what the Bible says about who Jesus is. Who’ll be in that study for the rest of your life and it will be worth it.
2. Secondly, “who do you say that Jesus is”? It is each of our responsibilities to discover this for ourselves. Like I said before: “Jesus is not looking for what our parents believed about Him. Jesus is not looking for what our pastor believes about him and He is not looking for what we read about Him in the numerous books that are out there. Jesus wants to hear who we say that He is!”
3. Thirdly, “who do you say that Jesus is to others? Are you willing to share your faith journey with others? There are many around us living a life of hopelessness that need to hear of the hope you have within you! Be willing to share the difference Christ has made in your life.
4. Fourthly, “who do you say Jesus is with your actions?” Are you an undercover agent for Christ or are you a cheerleader for Jesus? You don’t have to wear the out fit or wave pompoms, but you get the picture, don’t you?
Hey maybe your here today and you would like to know more of “who this Jesus is”? My response to you is we would be happy to share the life changing purpose in life that Jesus brings. Right?
In conclusion I would like to read you a quote from William Barclay commentary on the Gospel of Matthew:
Our knowledge of Jesus must never be at second hand. A man might know every verdict ever passed on Jesus; he might know every Christology that the mind of man had ever thought out; he might be able to give a competent summary of the teaching about Jesus of every great thinker and theologian – and still not be a Christian. Christianity never consists in knowing about Jesus; it always consists in knowing Jesus. Jesus Christ demands a personal verdict. He did not ask only Peter, he asks every [person]: “You – what do you think of me?” –Who do you think and say that I am?
