Who Is Jesus Christ?
Matthew 16:13-20
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
This is an important question to consider because what people believe about Jesus determines their future, today and eternally; and the way people answer the question lets us know how we might reach them with the gospel.
Who do Americans say Jesus is? Most Americans believe that Jesus was a real person. The younger generations are less likely to believe him to be God. Our populace is split on whether they believe Jesus was sinless.
When Jesus called the disciples to reflect on people’s perception of him in the first century, the disciples mentioned several beliefs—Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. (Matthew 16:14)
Jesus embodied the great characteristics of these men. However, he cannot be ranked with other men, even great men. More than living righteously, Jesus is righteousness. More than being a great teacher, Jesus is truth. More than revealing truths about God, Jesus is God in the flesh. More than being a messenger of God, Jesus is the Word of God.
We must share with others who Jesus Christ is. We must read and know the fullness of the gospel, have biblical knowledge and spiritual understanding, so that we can boldly proclaim truth to others. How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14 NLT)
“Who do you say that I am?”
The answer to this question reveals what you believe and reveals your eternal destiny.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (16:16)
· Jesus is the Christ – he is the Anointed of God, the true Messiah, (Acts 2:36) in whom all the promises of God are fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:19-20).
· Jesus is not merely a man; he is God the Son (Luke 9:35).
· Jesus is the Son of the living God – he is life and the source of life (John 11:25-26).
Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah. He is God’s own Son. He is God in the flesh—fully man and fully God, who came to save sinners.
Results of such belief and confession are amazing. Believing and surrendering yourself to Christ Jesus, you will:
1. Receive life through him—new life, spiritual life and eternal life.
2. Enter the kingdom of God through him.
3. Be delivered from: 1] Being separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), 2] Enslavement to sin (Romans 6:20) 3] Experiencing God’s wrath (Romans 5:9), 4] Death (Romans 6:23)
Throughout his ministry, Jesus revealed his identity.
Jesus revealed that he and the Father are one. (John 10:30-33)
Jesus revealed himself as the great I AM. (John 8:58-59; see Exodus 3:14)
Jesus revealed that he is God in the flesh. (John 1:14)
God helps us to believe and confess Jesus, so that we may have new life in him.
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. None of us “figure out” the truths about Jesus Christ or God’s salvation. God the Father reveals these things to us.
If Jesus has made himself known to you as God and you testify of this truth, then you’re in good company.
· Thomas, the disciple of Jesus, declared Jesus as “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
· The Apostle Paul wrote of Jesus, “Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
· The Apostle Peter wrote the same of him, “Our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).
· God the Father testifies of Jesus’ deity through progressive revelation, saying, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness” (Psalm 45:6 ESV). He foretells about Jesus being divine through the prophet Isaiah, who wrote of him saying, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).
It is essential for every person to come to understand that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. As God, only he could die in our stead to pay the penalty for ours sins and the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).
