Who Do You Say I Am?

Who Do You Say I Am?

[Jesus asked,] “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” –Matthew 16:13-16

Occasionally we get a flier in the mail inviting us to some fancy resort, offering us several days and nights for an incredibly low price. There’s just one catch: You have to be willing to sit through a sales presentation for buying into the property. And it just isn’t worth it to me. Even though there is “no obligation,” I know they will put on the hard sell at some point, and we’ll have to either buy in or walk away. They will want a decision.

In some sense that is what Jesus was doing with the disciples. But he wasn’t selling them something; he was offering himself freely. The disciples had walked with him for three years, seeing the miracles, hearing him teach, enjoying his presence, and now it was time to declare a decision. Jesus is not content with a vague form of followership. He calls for a confession and a commitment of faith, because he knows we’ll need it to follow where he leads—to the Cross. He knows that recognizing who he is will empower and sustain us as we follow. So he forced a crisis, asking his disciples the question that is the crisis question in all our lives: “Who do you say I am?”

Whether you know it or not, there is a crisis in your life deeper than any crisis lurking on the surface. Or perhaps the surface crisis has been brought about by God to bring you to a place of confession and commitment. Each of us faces the same deep inner crisis of faith, demanding that we declare where we stand with Jesus. Is he merely an object of fascination, a source of inspiration, or is he much more to you? The most critical question of your life is this: Who is Jesus to the world, and who is Jesus to me personally? Can you see that he is the focal point of all of history, and more important, are you willing to make him the centerpiece of your life, the source from which you draw your identity and security and serenity? Are you willing to confess him and commit to him?

Father in heaven, thank you for revealing Jesus to me and for being unwilling to accept anything less than a clear confession and commitment on my part. This clarity brings me closer to you and gives me security in you.

DIGGING DEEPER