Who is Jesus?

Matthew 16:13–20 NIV84

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Introduction: Today, we dive into the question of who Jesus is from a perspective of emulation. As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His character and example in our lives. If I were to ask you to describe Jesus to me, how does He look? Can you describe your brother (sibling)? Can you describe your husband? Do you know about Jesus’ accolades? Do you know Jesus—the Son of God? We are called to imitate Jesus—daily. Can we imitate His healing power? We should! Can we imitate His Faith? We should! Who is Jesus?

1. Jesus is the Compassionate Healer

1.1: Jesus came to heal the sick

Mark 2:17 “17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.””

1.2: Jesus came to set the captives free

Luke 4:18 “18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,”

1.3: Jesus doesn’t need permission to heal

Mark 1:40–42 “40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.”

Jesus did not need a mask. The man was a leper, people did not associate with lepers. Jesus touched him.

2. Jesus is the Humble Servant

2.1: Jesus humbly washed His disciples' feet

John 13:14–15 “14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

2.2: Jesus is not mean

Matthew 11:28–30 “28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

2.3: We need to be more like Jesus

John 13:34–35 “34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

3. Jesus is Obedient to God's Will

3.1: Jesus is submitted to the Father's plan for salvation

Hebrews 5:7–9 “7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”

3.2: Jesus is submitted to God’s Will

Luke 22:42 “42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.””

3.3: We need to be obedient to God’s Will just like Jesus

John 15:10 “10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

4. Jesus is the Courageous Teacher

4.1: Jesus is confident in His Person

Philippians 2:5–8 “5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

Be the greatest you you can be

Be confident in your own skin

Imagine Jesus walking up to you and saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What would you do? Would you follow? Why?

Peter and Andrew at once left their nets and followed Him.

Why?

4.2: Jesus spent time reading and studying the Scriptures

Matthew 4:4 “4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””

Matthew 4:7 “7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’””

Matthew 4:10 “10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’””

Matthew 7:28–29 “28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

4.3: Jesus corrected the incorrect teachings of the religious

Matthew 5:38 “38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’”

Many use this Scripture to defend vengeance

It was to prevent personal vengeance

It was also used to limit what sanctions civil courts may impose

The punishment must fit the crime

Matthew 23:13 “13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

Matthew 23:23–24 “23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”