Jesus asked “Who Do You Say That I Am?”
by Leonard A. Deane Jr.

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16

Jesus was born in the normal way, grew in the normal way, got hungry and thirsty and tired, ate and drank and slept. He looked normal, talked in ordinary language, and walked in the normal way. He had emotions such as compassion, surprise, sorrow and apprehension (Matthew 9:36; Luke 7:9; John 11:38; Matthew 26:37). He prayed to God, as humans need to. He called himself a man and other people called him a man. He was a human being.

So the New Testament makes it clear that Jesus was really human. John tells us, "The Word became flesh" (John 1:14). He didn’t just appear as flesh, or clothe himself in flesh. He became flesh. "Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" (1 John 4:2). We know says John, because we saw him and touched him (1 John 1:1-2).

Our salvation depends on the reality of Jesus’ humanity. His role as our intercessor, our high priest, depends on his experience as a human (Hebrews 4:15). Even after his resurrection, Jesus had flesh and bones (John 20:27; Luke 24:39).

Jesus made some very truthful claims:

• Jesus said he would sit at God’s right hand in heaven (Matthew 26:63-65).
• Jesus claimed to be in such perfect communication with God that he did only what God wanted (John 5:19).
• Jesus claimed to be one with the Father (John 10:30).
• Jesus claimed to be so much like God that people should look at him to see the Father (John 14:9; 1:18).
• Jesus claimed to be able to send God’s Spirit (John 16:7).
• Jesus claimed that he had angels he could send (Matthew 13:41).
• Jesus said he could raise the dead, even himself (John 5:21; 6:40; 10:18).
• Jesus said that everyone’s eternal life depends on their relationship with him (Matthew 7:23).
• Jesus said that the words of Moses were not enough (Matthew 5:21-48).
• Jesus claimed to be the Lord of the Sabbath—the Lord of a God-given law! (Matthew 12:8).

Jesus had a clear sense of self-identity. Even at age 12, he had a special relationship with his Father in heaven (Luke 2:49). At his baptism, he heard a voice from heaven say that he was God’s Son (Luke 3:22). He knew he had a mission to perform (Luke 4:43; 9:22; 13:33; 22:37).

Who is Jesus? He is a divine being who became flesh. He was in the beginning with God; he was the Creator of all, the Author of life (Acts 3:15). He is exactly like God, has glory like God, and has powers that only God has. Little wonder that the disciples concluded that he was God, even in the flesh.

"In Christ," Paul said, "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Jesus Christ is fully divine, and even now has bodily form. He is the exact representation of God—God made flesh.

Jesus also shows us what God is capable of doing. He is able to become part of his creation. He can bridge the gap between the uncreated and the created, between the holy and the sinful. What we might think is impossible, is possible with God. Jesus also shows us what humanity will be in the new creation. When he returns and we are resurrected, we will look like him (1 John 3:2). We will have bodies like his glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

Jesus is our spiritual leader, showing us that the way to God is through Jesus. Because he is human, he feels for us and can relate to our weaknesses. Because he is divine, he intercedes for us at God’s right hand (Hebrews 4:15). With Jesus as our Savior, we can be confident that our salvation is secure.

"Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in heaven for me. Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in you for my salvation. I accept the free gift of eternal life."

 

     

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