“But what about you, who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
In 2002, I was part of an evangelistic crusade visiting a small town in northern Ontario. As part of the program, a team of us walked around the downtown streets with a video camera, asking people the question: “Who is Jesus?”
We received a wide variety of responses. One person responded, “Jesus is the Lord, the one I pray to.” Another person said, “I think he is a character in an elaborate story.” Someone else believed Jesus to be a highly evolved alien being.
The question of who we believe Jesus to be is perhaps the deepest and most important question we can ask ourselves as we grow in our faith. This is why Jesus asks the disciples what people were saying about him; “Who do people say that son of man is?” he asks.
Yet, in posing this question, Jesus is not interested in hearing a variety of interpretive responses. Rather, he is encouraging the disciples to step forward in a profession of faith, to recognize the truth that has been revealed in their midst.
If someone stuck a camera before you and asked you who you believed Jesus to be, how would you respond? Who is Jesus to you? Who is he for you? Below are three things to keep in mind as you ponder this question.
1. Jesus: The Son of Man
The first question that Jesus poses to his disciples pertains to the identity of the Son of Man. “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus asks (Matthew 16:13). “The Son of Man” was the title that Jesus often used to refer to himself.
For example, when Jesus heals a paralytic man, he does so to prove that “the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6). In the Gospel of Matthew alone, Jesus refers to himself in this way close to 30 times.
Jesus did not make up this title, however. “The Son of Man” was a technical title referring to the anticipated servant of God. The title harkens back to Daniel’s vision of “one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13).
Daniel describes how this figure is given authority and dominion over all people’s nations, and languages. The Son of Man, therefore, referred to the divine King, who would come and re-establish the glory of Israel.
By consistently using this title, Jesus testifies that he is the person that Daniel prophesied about. Jesus is the King who came into the world for the purpose of liberation and redemption.
The Kingship of Jesus is only heightened when we recognize that Jesus asks the disciples this question as they journey through the region of Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13). Caesarea Philippi was the capital of Herod Philip’s reign.
What is more, Herod the Great had previously built an elaborate temple to honor the lordship of Caesar. Thus, Caesarea Philippi was a city dedicated to the rule and authority of Caesar.
It is significant, therefore, that the affirmation of Christ’s own Kingship occurred in a region dedicated to a false king, and a false god. Jesus affirms himself as the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1 Timothy 6:15).
Occasionally, skeptics suggest that Jesus never assumed divine status for himself. Yet, as we have just seen, his mere use of the title “Son of Man” betrays this suggestion. Jesus is abundantly clear about his association with the Davidic King.
2. Jesus: The Christ, the Son of the Living God
Jesus is not interested in what the crowds and spiritual bystanders have to say about him. Rather, he wishes to know how his followers receive him. “But you,” Jesus continues, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
Peter responds with the well-known confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Like the term “Son of Man,” the term “Christ” is significant. “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name; it is the Greek word used to refer to the Messiah.
When Jesus is called “The Christ,” he is being hailed as the central figure in Israel’s redemptive history. In calling Jesus “the Christ,” Peter is naming him as the long-awaited savior of the world.
Peter’s confession is only strengthened by calling Jesus “the Son of God.” This title was also a common description of the Messiah. It declared that the Messiah would be an heir of David’s line.
The Royal Psalms, for example, speak of the Messiah as someone coronated by the decree, “You are my Son, today I have become your Father” (Psalm 2:7).
This affirmation was voiced over Jesus both in his Baptism (Matthew 3:17) and at his Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5).
It is significant that Jesus did not dismiss or deny this confession. As a faithful Jewish Rabbi, Jesus would never have allowed such loaded titles to be ascribed to himself if they were untrue.
To claim identification with God’s Messiah, or to claim equality with God in any way, was considered the height of blasphemy. In fact, this is the very charge under which the Pharisees seek to crucify him (Matthew 16:65).
The fact that Jesus affirms Peter’s confession testifies that Jesus knew himself to be the Messiah and the divine Son of the living God. It also means that this is a confession we can trust, and upon which we can build our own faith.
3. Jesus: The Revelation of God
If you type “Who is Jesus” into your search engine, you will uncover over one million websites dedicated to this question. Of course, not all these websites say the same thing.
Like Jesus’ initial question, some say Jesus is a prophet of long ago, some say he is a myth, others herald him as Lord. How can you know which understanding of Jesus is correct?
Ultimately, the question of Jesus’ identity is not up for interpretation or debate. There is but one answer. Jesus is who he reveals himself to be. It is not up to us to decide who we believe Jesus to be. We are called, rather, to receive him as he comes to us.
Throughout the scriptures, Jesus is revealed to be the embodiment of God’s identity and personhood. Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), the full representation of God on earth. To know Jesus is to know the God Almighty.
Jesus makes this clear when he says, “No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).
Like Peter, we cannot rationalize ourselves to Jesus. At some point, we must allow the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to his presence.
Knowing Jesus involves more than learning the meaning of titles such as “Son of Man” or “Messiah.” To truly know Jesus is to receive him in our lives. Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father draws him” (John 6:44).
If we wish to know Jesus as he truly is, we must respond to his invitation to follow him. If you are someone who would like to know Jesus more deeply in your life, then I invite you to say this prayer.
Jesus, I want to know who you are. I may have a lot of questions, but I recognize that I can’t fully know you unless you come to me. Please come to me today. Reveal yourself to me. Speak to me and help me to know you. I open my heart to your presence and your voice. Amen.
For further reading:
Why Is Jesus Described as ‘Gentle and Lowly’ in Matthew 11:29?
Jesus on Adultery: It’s More Controversial Than You Think
Who Is the Man of Sorrows in the Bible?
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