DATE: 23rd August, 2020
THEME: WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Exodus 2:1-10
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16: 13-20
PSALTER: Psalm 124:1-8
Prepared by: Osofo Yaw Dodd
INTRODUCTION
There comes a time in the life of every Christian when you have to come to grips with the person of Jesus Christ and your relationship with him. You can weigh the witness of scripture and take into account all the commentaries on the life of Christ; you can consider the views of others, past and present, but you can’t escape this one central question, WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? Today as we listen once more to this familiar passage from Matthew’s gospel, I invite you to put yourself in the story and ask, “What is my relationship with Jesus Christ?”
The text begins with a question we can all relate with: Who do people say that I am? This question strikes at the heart of our quest for IDENTITY.
The most common way for others to know us, is by NAME. That’s usually the first step in getting acquainted. It’s important, not only for others to know what to call you, but because YOUR NAME IS MORE THAN A LABEL, it reflects who you are – your FAMILY HERITAGE and your SELF-IDENTIFY.
In this passage, Jesus asks two questions that are eternal in nature.
▪The first question has to do with WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT JESUS. Their opinions of Him reveal the CONDITION OF THEIR HEARTS. It demonstrates whether they are saved or not.
▪The Second Has To Do With Your PERSONAL OPINION OF WHO JESUS IS. Your answer to this question will determine WHERE YOU SPEND ETERNITY.
So, it is of vital importance that you carefully consider how you answer this question.
CONTEXT
We are told that Jesus and His disciples are in the “region of Caesarea Philippi”. This was a predominately Gentile area located some 25 miles north of Bethsaida where Jesus had just healed a blind man, Mark 8:22-26. It is here that a spring issues forth from Mount Hermon that forms one of the tributaries that becomes the Jordan River. This was a beautiful area that was steeped in pagan religion.
It was here, in this region devoted to the worship of idols and man-made gods that JESUS CHOSE AS THE PLACE TO MAKE A FULLER REVELATION OF HIMSELF to His disciples.
It was also here that Simon Peter saw for the first time that Jesus Christ was truly the Son of God.
BODY
I. JESUS ASKS A PROBING QUESTION
The Lord’s first question is this: “Whom do men say that I am?” Jesus knew what the people were saying about Him. He wasn’t suspicious, nor was He seeking the praise of men. Jesus intended to use the opinions of the people, concerning His identity, to cause the disciples to think about their own opinions of just Who He was.
a. Let’s consider what people said about Jesus
When Jesus asks the question, His men told him what they have been hearing others say. They said some people say that you are, “John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.”
Let’s break their response down.
▪ John the Baptist – Jesus certainly resembled John the Baptist in His PREACHING. Both men preached a message of REPENTANCE and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
▪ Elijah – This makes a little more sense, because both Jesus and Elijah conducted a ministry that was marked by CLEAR, CONVICTING PREACHING and CONVINCING MIRACLES.
▪ “One of the prophets”. This was a long list that included such personalities as MOSES, DANIEL, ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, MOSES, and others.
◾Like Moses, Jesus declared the Law of God.
◾Like Isaiah, Jesus preached about sacrifice and holiness.
◾Like Daniel, the message of Jesus was a prophetic message of a coming King and His kingdom.
◾Like Jeremiah, Jesus carried out a ministry marked by COMPASSION and BROKENNESS. He was, after all, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”, Isa. 53:3.
◾Like Hosea, Jesus loved the UNLOVABLE and was willing to redeem lost, wretched sinners.
b. Other Opinions
Other voices were also expressing their opinions about Jesus in those days.
▪THE PHARISEES and other religious elitists of the day said, “…He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?” John 10:20.
▪THE SCRIBES, the men viewed as great teachers of the Law, said, “He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils,” Mark 3:22.
▪THE SANHEDRIN, the ruling body of the Jewish religion, said, “…He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy… Matthew 26:65-68.
c. Some got it right
Not every voice at that time was lifted against Jesus. Some people knew Who He was and proclaimed Him openly. THE SON OF GOD
◾John the Baptist got it right – John 1:29-34.
◾The Angels got it right – Luke 2:9-14.
◾Simeon got it right – Luke 2:25-35.
◾Anna got it right – Luke 2:36-38.
◾The dying thief got it right – Luke 23:42.
◾The Roman Centurion got it right – Mark 15:39.
◾The blind man got it right – John 9:38.
◾Bartimaeus got it right – Mark 10:47.
◾The crowds outside Jerusalem got it right – John 12:13.
◾Even the demons got it right – Mark 5:7.
d. What are people saying about Jesus today?
Ø THE MUSLIM says that Jesus was a prophet, but He was not crucified on a cross. He will return, but He is not God.
Ø THE HINDU believes that Jesus is just one of millions of gods.
Ø THE MORMON believes that Jesus was the first baby born to God in Heaven, when God, in a physical body, had sexual intercourse with Mary, His Own daughter. He is the spirit brother of Lucifer.
Ø THE JEHOVAH WITNESS believe that Jesus was once the Archangel Michael before He came to the earth. In their view Jesus is not God in the flesh.
Ø THE ATHEIST denies that Jesus ever existed at all.
e. The confirmation by the father (GOD)
Listen to what GOD THE FATHER in Heaven has to say about the SON called JESUS.
▪When Jesus was baptized by John in Jordan, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17.
▪When Jesus was transfigured, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him,” Matthew 17:5.
IF GOD THE FATHER SAYS THAT JESUS IS HIS SON THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!
II. JESUS ASKS A PERSONAL QUESTION
After hearing His disciples tell Him what others say, Jesus asks them for their opinion. He has heard PUBLIC OPINION, now He wants to hear their PERSONAL OPINIONS.
This is the moment of truth!
Everything Jesus has taught them and shown them has been leading up to this moment in time. Every miracle was leading to this one moment in time. Every word of truth Jesus spoke was to bring His men to this great spiritual crossroad.
Their response to this question would let Jesus know how effective His personal ministry to these men had been. Jesus simply asks, “But, Whom do you say that I am?” It is a simple question, but it is filled with ETERNAL IMPLICATIONS.
III. PETER SAID, ‘YOU ARE THE CHRIST’
Peter, as was his custom, spoke for the whole group. Peter said, ? “THOU ART THE CHRIST!” He got it right!
In Matthew’s account of these events, Matthew quotes Peter as saying, “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD,” Matt. 16:16.
There in Caesarea Philippi, against that backdrop of paganism and false religion, Peter saw in a HUMBLE, HOMELESS CARPENTER from Nazareth the very essence of God Himself. Peter looked at Jesus and saw the MESSIAH.
Peter also saw Jesus as the “SON OF GOD.” What a statement of faith!
Of course, Peter did not come to the knowledge on his own. Matthew 16:17 says, “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”. The Lord’s identity was revealed to Peter by God Himself. This is true in every genuine conversion, John 6:44. NO ONE IS SAVED BY THE PERSUASIVE OPINIONS OF MEN.
People are saved when their spiritual eyes are opened by the Lord. He gives them the faith to believe unto salvation, Eph. 2:8-9.
IV. APPLICATION
The issue today is, what do you believe about Jesus?
How you answer the Lord’s question will determine where you will spend eternity.
What is your final answer? Who is Jesus to you?
CONCLUSION
Today, His mission stands completed and He commands us to tell the world about Him. That is what I have tried to do today. Who is Jesus to you? If you can honestly say that Jesus is your Savior and the Lord of your life, then you should praise the Lord today. Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY SOCIETY
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
