Who Do You Say I Am?

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?