13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
(Matthew 16:13-16)
That important question asked two thousand years ago echoes across the centuries to us. Its clarity, strength, and importance are unchanged despite the distance in time from when Jesus asked his disciples until today.
The importance of the question is in our individual response to it. Each of us must answer that question in this life, or in the life to come. Ultimately, we must individually answer that question. There is no option to, 'plead the fifth' and avoid self-incrimination. We won't have the option to ask a godly grandparent, faithful parent, devout sibling, a Christian friend, or even our pastor to answer the question for us. And the question is answered from our hearts. At the heart of our being, what do we believe? Blithe assurances, trite sayings, or simple platitudes won't suffice.
Peter's answer boldly proclaimed Jesus was (and still is) the long-expected Messiah sent to save all peoples of the world. What do you say? Who is Jesus to you? Is He your Lord and Savior? Is He the one you put your hope and trust in? Do you believe that somehow His life, death on the cross, and resurrection counted for you? That His blood shed at the cross washed away your sins? That He somehow removed your sins as far as the East is from the West? That His sacrifice allows God to look at you and see Jesus' righteousness instead of our own sinfulness? That His death paid the debt each of us incurred because of our sins? That He became the bridge from death to life for each of us?
C.S. Lewis's masterful examination of this question simplifies our choice of answers to just three: Jesus was and is who He said He was, He was a liar, or He was a madman. We don't get the option to claim he was merely a good teacher. Jesus took that option off the table when He confirmed Peter's assessment of Him. In other statements Jesus made, He also affirms He is more than a good teacher; Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6, ESV
Clearly, if Jesus was a liar or a madman, it would be folly to place our faith in Him. If He was anything but who He said He was, the world would be right to question the wisdom of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Indeed, if there was nothing that awaited us beyond the grave, then making decisions about our conduct in this life would be wholly determined by what benefit we obtain while alive. But if Jesus was and is who He said He was, then the weight of eternity should "tip the scales" of our decisions in favor of what benefit we obtain in the life to come after our body goes the way of all flesh.
But Who Do You Say I Am?
Take a quiet minute without distractions. Put down the cell phone, turn off the television, and find a quiet room where you can think without interruption. Picture yourself there among the twelve disciples with Jesus by the city gates of Caesarea Philippi. Listen with the other disciples as Jesus asks the question, "who do the people say I am?" Listen to the disciples' answers and realize those don't hit the mark. Notice Jesus doesn't correct them or give them the answer to His first question. Then hear the question Jesus asked His disciples, "but who do you say I am?" Before you answer that question yourself, look deep in your heart. Look carefully at your actions. Does what you're about to say line up with your actions? Is He the first one you turn to in good or bad times? Or is He the last resort when you've tried everything else? If you claim Him as Lord, are you following His commands? Be honest with yourself now because when that question is asked of you in heaven, there are no evasions, no little white lies, no fingers crossed behind your back. Your life choices will reveal what you truly believed while you were on earth. Make those life choices count for eternity.
But Who Do You Say I Am?
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)