Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20)
This question that Jesus asked His disciples,” Who do the crowds say that I am?”, came after Jesus was praying. Undoubtedly, Jesus had many conversations with the Father about His upcoming crucifixion and while He had told some people that He was the Messiah, such as the Samaritan woman at the well, He knew not everyone knew who He actually was.
This was a pretty cool moment in which Jesus asked His disciples who the crowds of people said He was. This shows an intimacy between Jesus and His disciples, a friendship and closeness that He could ask such a question. And we see that although this was a rather short conversation, it was a great one, ending in the disciples assessing for themselves who they believed Jesus was, and Peter answering with the truth, in which the Father had revealed to him, that Jesus indeed is the Messiah.
Today’s Culture
In this day and age, people say a lot of things about Jesus. Our culture is very opinionated about Jesus and Who they believe He is, what He would or wouldn’t do, and what He’s like – but it’s not all based in truth. In fact, when truth is spoken, our mainstream culture will often dispute it by saying things like, “Well the Jesus I know wouldn’t judge others for doing {insert some kind of sin}”. Except, the hard truth is, the Jesus they know isn’t actually Jesus, the Christ of God.
If someone is claiming to follow Jesus but not obeying Him, then they’ve simply heaped up for themselves an idol based on the idea of who they want Jesus to be instead of accepting and worshipping Him for Who HE says He is. However, Jesus Himself said that we must worship God in spirit and in truth. There is only absolute truth - Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Not “a” way or “a” truth, there’s no such thing as Jesus’ truth and my truth and your truth – Jesus is THE way, truth, and life. And since Jesus IS truth, then anything apart from Him is not based in truth.
It is vital to align ourselves with who He really is, just as the Bible clearly lays out, and not heap up for ourselves an image based on our own debased and sinful nature and desires.
Who Do You Say He Is?
This question that Jesus asked His disciples is for ALL of His disciples throughout all of time – Who do you say that I am? The answer to that question reveals if you’re following the true only begotten Son of God who died for the sins of the world or whether you’re following a cheap, knock off version of Jesus who can’t actually save you.
If you’ve been saved for awhile, please don’t disregard this question for yourself. Take the time to evaluate who you say Jesus is and ensure it aligns with who the inerrant Word of God says He is. If you find yourself feeling like Jesus wouldn’t call out sin or be righteously angry or warn those practicing sin to repent, then it’s time to reevaluate what the Bible says of Jesus.
Love AND Righteous Anger
Jesus is love, just as 1 John tells us that God is love, and God also gets angry at sinful acts. Jesus took the time to braid a whip and then used it to drive out the money changers who were defiling the house of God by making a profit off the people who had come to worship.
Grace, Mercy, AND Justice
God is gracious and merciful, yet God is also just. Sin will be paid for either by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for those who have accepted Him as their Savior or by the sinner paying it themselves being eternally separated from God in torment. Payment for sin is just, and laying Himself down as that payment is gracious and merciful.
Jesus repeatedly taught repentance and that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever so the message stays the same even thousands of years later.
True OR False
If you find that you’ve been led astray by a false image of Jesus maybe by our culture or even a church who claims to be a Christian church but isn’t actually teaching what the Bible says about Jesus, today is the day to repent and turn to follow the true Son of God. If that is you, I encourage you to have a heart to heart conversation with God and read through the gospels, meditating on who the Bible says Jesus is.
If you’re following the true Jesus, I encourage you to take time to sit and remember your Maker. Reflect on all that He went through to save you and the love He has for you, because it is truly immense; and thank Him for being Who He is – the Christ of God, your Savior.