You may have read the title and wondered who I am talking about, or you may be familiar with the Bible and remember this is a question that Jesus asks his disciples in Matthew chapter 16:13-16. It is a question He asks each one of us, and who we think He determines how we live here and where we will live eternally. Who do you think He is must be answered by everyone someday.
In Matthew 16 when Jesus asks this question some answer Him. They told Him that some thought he was John the Baptist. Herod had thought Jesus was John the Baptist because he was haunted by John’s death. John was a preacher of the gospel of Jesus and did not back down from telling Herod he was wrong for having his brother’s wife as his own. Because of this Herodias was full of anger. On Herod’s birthday, she had her daughter dance before him and he was so full of lust that he told her she could ask anything and he would give it. She asks for John’s head on a charger. Herod regrated it but had sworn an oath to her and felt compelled to follow through.
Matthew 14:6-11 “But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.”
The disciples also said that some thought he was Elijah, called Elias in Matthew. In II Kings 2:11, we are told that while Elijah and Elisha walked and talked God took Elijah up into a whirlwind in a chariot. “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” Some had heard the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 where the prophet wrote “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD,” and they assumed this was him. Others claimed it must be Jeremiah or one of the other prophets whom they expected to come back before the Messiah.
Matthew 16:13-15 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”
It is the most important question we will answer while still alive. Some religions think He was a good man or a prophet. To them I ask the question can He be a good man if He is a liar? The answer would be no! A good man does not lie. Therefore, Jesus is either who he says He is or He is a liar. In John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” In John 14:9 again Jesus proclaimed His equality with God the Father.
John 14:9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
Jesus again asks the question “Whom do you say I am?” To this question, Peter answers “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Who do you think He is? Are you like many who say you believe in God but your belief is no more than a head knowledge that God exists? If that is the situation then you don’t truly believe. True belief causes us to act upon that belief. If I believe there is a rattlesnake in my garage I will not go into my garage without someone to kill the rattlesnake, and then I will watch instead of engaging in the kill. If you believe there is a God and that Jesus died for your sins you must understand that while He died for all mankind, the only ones to benefit from His death are those who accept Him as their personal Savior. If you believe Jesus is who He said He is then you must believe what He said about Hell. In Matthew 10:28 Jesus said, “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” We are to fear God because He is the final Judge. He has given us a plan to avoid Hell, but if we choose to follow our way then we will be cast into Hell.
In Luke 16:23-24 Jesus was teaching about the wrath to come to those who reject God’s plan of salvation. It was a story that was told to awaken those who had chosen their own way and had their own understanding. It was an understanding that was prideful. He tells the story of a rich man, one they would have held in high esteem, and a very poor man. The poor man was someone they would have thought very little about. Someone they would want to avoid. He was someone they would throw a coin to and walk on by. He continues the story in Luke 16:23-24 with these words. “And in hell he lifts up his eyes, being in torments, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” While the wealthy man may have had anything money could buy he did not have eternal life in Heaven. While the poor man had nothing of earthly value He had an eternal life that was full of riches beyond anything on earth, and it was forever!
The bottom line is that no matter what we believe about Jesus it does not change who He is, nor does it change. or have an effect on what He has declared. Once we die our fate is sealed for all eternity and there is nothing we can do to change it if we miss our opportunities here. So, who do you think He is?
