Once while walking with his disciples, as they approached the city of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus spoke to his disciples and asked:
“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”” (Mark 8:27–29, ESV)
Why was this so important? Does what we say determine who Jesus is?
NO!
But how we answer does define us. If we know Jesus as a great man, or a good teacher, or a worker of miracles, or even the founder of Christianity then we do not know Jesus at all.
Jesus is God, he has always been. Jesus is the long awaited and much prophesied Messiah, Savior who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is our advocate and the only one capable of making us right with God by paying in full for our sins. Jesus is the one in whom we are born again by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
There is no other name given by which you may be saved.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, ESV)
Some people think, “I am not ready to answer that question right now.” The problem is that a failure to answer is an answer – “No Jesus you are not God and you cannot save me” is the answer we give when we give no answer.
This question is answered by every single person alive today. The only possible answers are: (1) Jesus is my Savior, I received him by faith alone as a gift from God alone. There is no other name by which I may be reconciled to God and saved forever! Or, (2) I reject Jesus. There is no other answer.
Who do you say Jesus is?
