Jesus Is Not Who We Think He Is
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“But what about you, who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
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.
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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