08/08/2024
WHO DO PEOPLE SAY I AM?
That's one of the crucial questions that Jesus asked His disciples. If He asked them that question, then our response to that question must have a significance to our Christian experience. Think about it for a moment, what do the people around you say about Jesus? Who do they say He is? Let's see how scriptures put it:
Mark 8:
27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Look at that! Some called Him John the Baptist. How can He be John the Baptist when there was already John the Baptist? Some thought He was Elijah, obviously because a prophecy of Elijah's return was given. But we all know that it was John the Baptist that came in the spirit of Elijah. That's right! The actual Elijah was John the Baptist.
As if that's not degrading enough, some even call Him one of the prophets. In other words, He's not different from the prophets we know. Some of my Muslim friends even go extreme in this area; they don't only call Him a prophet, they also say He deceived God's people into serving Him and not the "one true God". In other words, the Jesus they know is a deciever.
To be honest, all of those things are enough to shake the faith of a Christian. But then, once they were done telling Jesus who people say He is, He issued the next question:
"WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?"
If you claim to be a Christian, then you should be able to confidently answer this question. Unfortunately, not many Christians can constructively say who Jesus is. I've asked this question in meetings, and their responses are usually not from a place of conviction. Some say He's the Saviour, they don't even say "my Saviour". Some say He's the Son of God, while some others say He's God.
You see, if you can't say who Jesus is with conviction in your heart, the opinions of people about Him may influence your belief and relationship with Him. Peter seemed to get the answer correctly when He said "You are The Christ". Notice that he didn't say you are Jesus Christ, the exact word is "The Christ". The word "Christ" comes from "Christos", a Greek word that means “the anointed one” or “the chosen one”. In Hebrew, it means Mashiach or Messiah as we know it. So "Christ" is more of a title than it is a name, although the Bible uses it both ways.
Now the question we should ask ourselves is, if He's the Anointed or Chosen One, what was He anointed or chosen for? Jesus Himself answered that question in Luke chapter 4. Let's read from scriptures:
Luke 4:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
In other words, He's a Deliverer, one who sets free indeed. The scripture says He who the Son of man sets free is free indeed. All demons were subject to Him during His earthly ministry. Even His name was an explosive in the camp of the enemy. His disciples testified that devils were subject to them in His name.
But if that's all you know about Him, then you still do not know enough. And that's because after His earthly ministry, He ascended into heaven to continue His reign as the Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven - which we now belong through His blood and sacrifice on the cross. He's seated in heaven as a bodily representation of the God-head.
Now He's not just a Deliverer, He's also our Redeemer and Saviour, and then our Lord. If you like, call Him the One that governs the affairs of your life. He suits that position perfectly.
So He may be one of the prophets to the people around you, but ensure they know that He's your Lord. And if they try to talk down on Him, show them what your Lord can do in the life of those He governs. When they see the fruits, their testimony of Him will certainly change.
As I conclude, I used to have people around me who didn't believe in my Jesus, but now, the transformation is too much to neglect. And everytime they ask what the secret is, I boldly tell them that though I live in this world just like them, but I'm also a beneficiary of the government of my Lord Jesus.
I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.
Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!
Emeka Anslem The Solutionists
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