Who Do Men Say That I Am?

The region that Jesus and His disciples were in at this time was Caesarea Philippi, where there were many Greek gods worshiped and also the temple that was devoted to their god, Baal.  Jesus chose this place to ask His disciples a question, “Who do men say that I am?”  Read their reply in Matthew 16:14, “And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus said, “Whom say ye that I am?”  And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

My question to you is; how would you answer this question?  Would you say that He was just a prophet or a good man or a good teacher or something else, or would you say as Simon Peter did, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God?”  I know that some would say that He was a fraud, others would say that He didn’t exist and others would say that He was a liar and others would call Him a blasphemer or maybe something worse.  People may call Him different things because no one can know Him unless they believe and God reveals who Jesus is to them.  Read what Jesus said to Peter in verse 17 of that same chapter, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”  It was revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah.

Read what it says about Jesus in Matthew 1:18-23, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

God is still revealing Himself today through visions and dreams and even miracles and the Holy Spirit is still convicting people of their sins.  If you don’t know Him, seek Him while he may be found.  It says this in Jeremiah 29:10-13, “For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”   

I realize that in this particular passage God was speaking to the Israelites that were in captivity in Babylon because of their sins; but, if you are not a believer and are not born-again, you are also in captivity, your captivity is sin and God wants to break the sin of bondage in your life.  Repent of your sins, which means to turn the other way and go in a different direction, and ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you of all un-righteousness.  Also ask Him to fill you with His perfect peace, love and joy and then go forth rejoicing in Him.  Then start growing in your newfound faith and share what the good Lord has done in your life with others.  If you want a relationship with the Lord and are seeking it, get a copy of God’s Word and start in the New Testament and read prayerfully the fourth book, which will be the book of John, with an open mind and before you are finished you may just find Him and be a believer.

Something to think about and have a super day!!  May the good Lord bless you and yours!!