Yes! It’s this time of the year again when believers rejoice and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has often been said that JESUS is the reason for this season. He is the reason that we celebrate Christmas. For decades, the season of Christmas ushers in a spirit of thanksgiving, an air of excitement and anticipation. The season of Christmas ushers in the spirit of giving and I think many people really anticipate receiving gifts of all sorts right? This is very evident as businesses also flourish during Christmas time because of the festivities wrapped around this Christmas Season. Whether you are a believer or not, Christmas affects everyone. Families get together, reunions are common regardless of the ongoing pandemic. People travel far and wide to be with family this season. People graciously give this season and people graciously receive as well. The festivities heighten our sense of belonging, our hearts and minds attuned to the activities, traditions and cultures that come with the season. Merry Christmas it is indeed right.
Today, I would like to highlight a matter that we often overlook this season. It’s the matter of the heart, the condition of the heart. Now I’m not talking about the physical condition of our heart, although that is also a relevant matter if we do not watch out what we eat! Anyway, what I want to point out is the true spiritual condition of our heart. I believe Jesus is helping us determine the condition of our heart in Matthew chapter 16. Please open your bibles or your bible aps to Matthew chapter 16 and we’ll read from verse 13. A little background here while you’re opening your bibles. Jesus is with his disciples and they are in the town of Ceasarea Philippi. In the previous chapter, chapter 15, Jesus just fed 4,000 men or in total about 20,000 gentiles in a mountainside near the Sea of Gallilee where he also healed the great multitude. Come to think of it, it was like a big Christmas party. Right. Okay in chapter 16, he’s with his disciples and he asks them two critical questions that I think are questions he is asking us all today as well. The first question is really not an important one but the second questions is a heart question.
So lets read verse 13 and 14:
13 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?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
You know, many people when asked about who Jesus is, they also would have varying answers. Some would say that Jesus was an extraordinary man. Some believe that Jesus was a spiritual leader like Mohammed or the Buddha. Some would say that Jesus is like Krishna or a reincarnated man. Some would say that Jesus led the biggest cult in ancient history, while there are those who say that Jesus did not exist at all, that he is a myth, a fictional character. Have you ever asked the people around you who they think Jesus is? It would be an interesting exercise to find out their answers to this question right? Who do men say that I, the son of man, am? Jesus asked in verse 13..
And then in verse 15, Then JESUS goes right to the heart question: 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” in the NIV version; it says: "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Jesus was interested in the personal answer to this very critical heart question. "Who do you say I am?"
Friends, I believe Jesus is asking us the same question as well. Who do you say I am? What is your answer to this heart question?
Note that Jesus has been with his disciples for a long time already. They have stayed with him, did ministry with him, ate with him and travelled with him. They have witnessed his signs, miracles and wonders. They have listened to his teachings and have been blessed by his sermons. They knew Jesus but then, he still asked them the question: “Who do you say I am?”
It’s a very important question as your answer determines the state of your relationship with Jesus. How well do you really know Jesus? Who is Jesus in your life? Perhaps Jesus ask this question to HIS disciples to find out if they are his true disciples or not? If they are FANS of JESUS, his works, his ministry and teachings or if they are true followers of Jesus who are ready to pick up their cross and follow him. Fan or follower? Who do you say I am? Jesus is asking the same question to us. Are you a fan or follower?
And Perhaps Jesus is asking the question to know where your heart is this season. Is your heart tuned in to the voice of Jesus, ready to listen and obey, ready to show mercy and grace, ready to forgive, ready to show compassion for others. Who do you say I am?
In this season in your life, how deep is your relationship with Jesus. Perhaps you have known Jesus for many decades now, or maybe you are just beginning to know him intimately. Regardless of where you are at in your walk with Christ the question you need to answer is critically important. Who do you say I am?
When Jesus asked this question to his disciples; I imagine the look on their faces, maybe some of them was struggling with an answer. Maybe some of them had to think real hard about their answer. It may seem like a simple question really. But you notice in our over that only one had an answer to Jesus and it was Peter.
in Verser 16 we read: 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Finally an answer we were looking for. And you know how Jesus reacted to this answer of Peter? Jesus said Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah in verse 17.
Wow.
To Peter, Jesus is THE CHRIST – the Messiah, the deliverer, the Savior of the world, the forgiver of sins. The son of the LIVING GOD! Yes, Peter was right and he was blessed by Jesus for his heartfelt answer. The son of the living God. The third person in the trinity, the powerful, merciful, every living son of God. Jesus is the King of kings, Lord of Lords and He lives today and forever.
The answer of Peter is really a complete summary of his witness of JESUS. In the previous chapters of the book of Matthew, from chapters 1 through 15, JESUS demonstrated again and again his diety, his authority, his compassion for people, his mercy, his grace and his love. Again and again, Jesus spoke about the truths about the kingdom of GOD, Jesus taught the crowd, Jesus fulfilled prophesies upon prophesies about him that was written in the old testament. Again and again, Jesus sought out the lost, Jesus reached out to the broken hearted, Jesus spoke to the outcasts, Jesus called out and fellowshipped with sinners. Again and again Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, stopped the storms, forgave sins and bring the dead back to life. Jesus did all of these to prove to all those who witnessed and recorded His walk on earth that HE has authority over sickness, He has authority over the devil and all demons, He has authority over nature, over earth, He has authority over SIN, and He has authority over DEATH. After all; HE can’t be called Lord if he is not LORD over all. Oh and by the way, this is just the first half of Matthews record of JESUS CHRIST in the book of Matthew Chapter 1 to 15.
How about you? Who do you say Jesus is in your life? As you reflect deeply to this critical question, know that your answer should determine how you live, what priorities control your life. Has the life of JESUS been expressed in your life? Have you shined for Jesus this season?
Your answer determines your destiny! This is why it is important. Your answer determines your destiny.
My prayer for you is that your heartfelt answer to this question rings through the life that you are living today. If not, then may this season be a time to reflect upon what JESUS our Lord and Savior is in your life. If your answer is not aligned to the will of God in your life, ask Jesus to guide you, to teach you, to grow your faith in HIM.
You know, as I reflect upon this question as well. My heart goes out to those who do not know who JESUS really is and why HE truly is the reason for this season. There are a few more days till we end the year 2021. Will you pray to God to point you to people who needs to hear about the goodness and good news of JESUS? God has placed you where you are today for such a time as this. A time to give what has been given to you freely. A time to share the love of JESUS to others. A time to speak about the wondrous grace of JESUS this year. A time to ask the same question that Jesus is asking us today. Who is do you say I am?
Let me pray for you….
