Who Do They Say That You Are?
Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13-15 (KJV)
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
INTRODUCTION
Who do they say that you are?
Some of us try and act like we don’t care what people say about us
In one way, we need to have that frame of mind or we would be forever in a state of living our lives to impress others
However the truth is that somewhere deep inside we really do care what people say about us
In fact, that is one of the major forces that continue to push us to our destiny
I am sure that we can think of people who sincerely don’t seem to care what people think about them but this is only a cover so that they can hide their lazy and sinful ways
Those people realize that if they were to concern themselves with influencing what people said about them then they would be faced with the responsibility of leading a life that bared good fruits
MAIN BODY
Christ asked his disciples who did they say he was (verse 13)
This is really an incredible question because he had just finished doing a miracle with fish and bread and healing and teaching.
There are at least three other factors that make this such an
incredible question
1.) It can almost be assumed what the people should have thought
of him.
2.) I am also sure that there had to be people walking up to him
telling him what they thought of him and what he was doing for
them
3.) Lastly and certainly not least he could have went to the people
and asked for himself. If he really wanted to know what they
thought. He could have simply asked them for himself. After
all Jesus wasn’t a “hands-off” person like so many of the people
of God are today
We can never really know what people think about us today however because;
1.) We don’t have time we are too busy in the church to find time
to talk to the people.
2.) When we are out in public we normally give the impression
that we are just too holy to just stop and converse with the
common person.
We think he may let the wrong words come out of his mouth.
Or people might see me talking to him and know that he is a drug user, drug dealer, homosexual, homeless, jobless, penniless, etc. (you make the list) and come to the wrong conclusion about me and start to spread bad rumors about me
Thank God that Jesus wasn’t like this. Jesus went to where the people who needed him were and met their needs
Jesus knew what he had heard the people say and he knew that he could ask the people what they thought of him if he wanted to
Jesus probably would have got an spectacular answer, one that would have been very impressive and flattering but Jesus wanted to know what the people thought about him when he turned his back.
He wanted to know what they said when he was not around.
He had to know what they were saying all the while though especially if word had got to Herod what the people said. (Luke 9: 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.)
I am sure that if Herod had the word then you knew that Jesus had to already know what the disciples were just telling him.
After hearing what the disciples had to say about what the people were saying Jesus got to the heart of the matter. Jesus really wanted to know who they (his disciples) said that he was. (Verse 15)
He was not looking for an answer that they could get from using their brain. He wanted the answer that came from the heart.
If Jesus were to ask you right now the same question.
What would you say and why would you say it?
When Peter confessed him as the Christ (the anointed one) Jesus was completely passionate and loving of that answer. Although Jesus knew and was fully confident that he was who Peter said that he was it must have been truly delightful for him to hear Peter proclaim that. (Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.)
Peter had to somehow sense what Christ did when he was alone and no one could see what he was doing
Jesus knew that even after all of the miracles that he had done in public had Peter not allowed the Father to use his heart when he gave that answer he never would have said it
The truth is that what made Jesus so special was what he did when no one was around. In other words the true essence of Jesus was based on what he did in private not public
This is the same for you and me today saint. We are what we do when no one is watching
If you are wondering what people think about you then you need to consider what you do when there is no one around to see what you do.
This is the image that everyone else sees of you. The holy walk that you proclaim in public has absolutely zero effect if it is not backed up by some serious talks with God in private
Jesus depended on these 12 men that he surrounded himself with to say what was true. We have to be careful about who we surround ourselves with and believe.
I would like to share a poem with you that was written by one of my buddies. It is a very interesting poem and it talks about the different roles that people should play in your life.
It is entitled “Everyone Can’t Be in Your Front Row” it is written by Elton E. Fortson.
Everyone Can’t Be in Your Front Row...
Life is a theatre - invite your audience carefully.
Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives.
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships!
Observe the relationships around you.
Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth up hill and which ones are going down hill?
When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don’t really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?
The more you seek God and the things of God - the more You seek quality,the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God the more you seek things honorable -- the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
You cannot change the people around you...but you can change the people you are around!
Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.
Elton E. Fortson
CONCLUSION
The next time you are wondering who people say that you are consider what you do when no one is watching and that will be a pretty good idea of what you look like in public. Some of us are thrilled about this revelation while others are embarrassed because if their hidden sins are exposed then they are in a lot of trouble. Let’s take it to Jesus in prayer.
Let’s Pray
Dear God thank you and I love you. From this day forward I pray that I be the person that you have made me to be. Use me as a vessel to show the world just how powerful you are when we allow you to be revealed through us. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Amen
Your Friend
Minister Juan D. Lane Sr.
