Who Do You Say That I Am
Notes
Transcript
Open your bible with me to Luke 9:18-22
Around this time last year, I was sitting in Texas Roadhouse. Sitting with my daughter, munching on buttered rolls, drinking water, and waiting for Ashley to get off work and join us. I noticed a man across the room kept looking in our direction. NOT too awkwardly, but enough for me to notice, which is significant because I don’t notice stuff like that. Soon, I see this man begin to slowly move towards the table, and I can tell he’s unsure what to say. He continues to shuffle over, and then sheepishly sticks out a piece of paper, it might have even been a napkin, and says – “Ah, Mr. Sandler, can I have your autograph please?”
And after an awkward laugh, I said, “Do what, now?” And he responds quietly, so as NOT to cue and paparazzi nearby - “Mr. Sandler, you are Adam Sandler, right?” to which I said, No, wrong guy, I’m Billy Madison! – SKABAH-DO-WHO!….I’m kidding, I didn’t say that….I just kindly told him, I’m sorry, but I’m NOT Adam Sandler, though I’m sure I was dressed like him.
It made me laugh, but it also reminded me how easy it is to have the wrong idea about someone — to think you recognize them, but miss the true identity.
That’s exactly what’s happening in Luke 9. The crowds thought they knew who Jesus was — maybe John the Baptist, maybe Elijah, maybe one of the prophets. They admired Him, they followed Him, but they didn’t truly know Him.
Jesus wasn’t interested in fan recognition or surface-level admiration. He was after something deeper — a personal confession. He turned to His disciples and said, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
Just like that person mistook me for Adam Sandler, we can sometimes ‘mistake’ Jesus — we like Him as a teacher, a miracle-worker, or a comforter. But Jesus insists we see Him as He truly is — the Christ, the Son of God, who came NOT just to impressus, but to die for us.”
You see, getting Jesus’ identity right isn’t just about knowing facts — it’s about trusting His cross. He’s NOT the Saviorwe imagined; He’s the Savior we need.
Sermon Summary: Jesus exposes our hearts and calls us to trust in His cross!
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
This is God’s word. Let’s pray
-------------------------------------------------
I. Jesus Confronts Our Opinions (v.18-19)
I. Jesus Confronts Our Opinions (v.18-19)
You recall the context of this account. Luke places it on the heels of the miraculous feeding of the 5000. That’s interesting, because Luke clearly makes this story a point of emphasis to highlight Jesus' messianic identity. You remember the verbs used in that text. That Jesus took the bread, he blessed it, he broke it, and then gave it to His disciples. It’s interesting because that verb order is NOT only seen at the Lord’s Supper. But at the end of Luke. Flip over to Luke 24. This is after the resurrection. And the disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, and Jesus is walking with some of them, but they were kept from knowing who He was. Until….notice Luke 24:30-32
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
And so, here we are again, after the feeding of the 5,000, where Luke places the true identity of Jesus. It’s been the foremost question throughout His gospel. And now, Jesus is going to make it crystal clear. It’s the question the crowds have been asking. It’s the question the disciples have been puzzled by – who is this that the winds and waves obey Him? It’s the question on everyone's mind and the topic of discussion around the region. It’s the question Herod asks and sought to find an answer. And after the feeding of the 5000, Luke places this account.
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”
Here, we see Jesus praying. He’s praying alone. Jesus would often do this before a big decision or big moment, in these pivotal places. You’ll see him again praying at the Transfiguration. And it was Jesus who was praying at His baptism, when the heavens were opened. And you’ll see Him again, praying before His crucifixion. Jesus often withdrew to communion with His Father. Jesus always made communion with Father a priority. Jesus, God in the flesh, knew the importance and need for prayer. I’m always amazed at text like this, when we seeJesus praying. Like, why is Jesus praying? This God, right? So why is Jesus praying? And that is because Jesus took on weakness by putting on flesh and blood. He came to earth. Humbled himself by taking on human flesh and now experiences life in a fallen world, where Jesus, the God-man, would experience human weakness and frailty. He would need. He needed sleep. He felt life in this fallen world. He laughed. He cried! The eternal Son, the second person of the Trinity, who had always known perfect fellowship with the Father and the Spirit, now, in His humanity, sought that same communion through prayer.
And His disciples are nearby. And Jesus is praying and turns to them and asks them – the question of the hour – WHO DO THE CROWDS SAY THAT I am?
Now, this took place in Matthew, tell us, at Caesarea Philippi…Which is situated near the Jordan River, with MT Hermon, snow-covered in the background. The city was named in honor of Caesar, who was considered Lord Augustus. Nearby was a pagan sanctuary dedicated to the god Pan. It was charged with divine and religious speech. And it’s there that Jesus asks – WHO DO the CROWDS SAY THAT I AM?
You notice. These are the same opinions that Herod mentioned in verses 7-9.
Some were saying He was John the Baptist. Now this is interesting because Luke was careful to show us the distinction between Jesus and John. Now that may be for good reason. They came from two different families, were known by different names, and accomplished two distinct tasks. And yet, they both had large followings, and they both preached a message of the Kingdom of God. Evidently, there was a connection close enough, Jesus was John’s cousin, that there was some confusion between the two.
Others said Elijah. And Jesus’ ministry on the surface might appear like Elijah’s ministry. You see in Luke 4. Jesus’s inclusion of Gentiles and in many ways would mirror the ministry of Elijah. We see Jesus performing similar miracles to those of Elijah, such as feeding, healing, and raising the widow's son – 1 Kings 17. There was an anticipation for Elijah to return before the awesome day of the Lord -Malachi4:5. But it was John the Baptist who came in the Spiritand power of Elijah (Luke 1:17).
Still others say – he’s one of the other prophets. One that Matthew mentioned was Jeremiah. There were all kinds of opinions about who Jesus was. They were all respectful for the most part. In many ways, they all sounded good! They all sought to honorJesus. He’s a great teacher. He’s a great prophet. It’s NOT that these answers are just blatantly wrong. And part of Luke’s point is that Jesus certainly is all of those things….His ministry did look similar to John’s. He was a great prophet like John. He does mimic the ministry of Elijah. He is a great teacher and a great prophet. But Luke doesn’t want youto miss that….. Jesus is much more than those things!!
See this question, while it appears harmless. Once again, it divides the audience. It’s meant to pierce hearts! You see, Jesus isn’t after information. He’s about exposing confusion and shallow faith. What they are saying is that Jesus is prominent. He’s important. But he’s a supporting role. But Jesus is more than a supporting character. He’s the main show!
You know, people have the same mindset about Jesus today. Muslims have no problem saying Jesus is a great prophet. He’s to be revered! He’s to be honored! But their view of Jesus is incomplete! He’s much more than a prophet! He is God!
Jehovah’sWitnesses will acknowledge Jesus as God, but claim He is one of many. Mormons say He is God, but that He became God. Both miss the truth Jesus came to reveal: He is the Messiah, fully God, fully Savior. The list goes on. Some say he’s a legendary teacher…Others say that he is a great person. We are interested in his teachings and sayings, his miracles. He was a successful revolutionary teacher and a wise sage. But they never see him as who He truly is! He is GOD.
You know it’s interesting. When we keep Jesus at a distance like that. When we keep Jesus at a distance, it becomes convenient for us — because a distant Jesus makes no demands on us. It can become quite convenient for us. If he’s merely a teacher, then we don’t have to obey all his teachings. He could be wrong, and we’ll take what benefits us if he’s only a prophet. We’ll accept him so long as we don’t like his words, and they’ll reject Jesus like all the other prophets, before Him… We’ll follow his example. We’ll honor his legacy….But never submit to His Lordship and authority! And we replace the true Jesus with a Jesus who makes us comfortable. With a Jesus who demonstrates mutual respect but would never demand our allegiance. We want Him to bless us and affirm us, but reject His authority over us as LORD!
It's possible to speak well of Jesus and reject His rule and authority as Lord! Maybe you respect Jesus. Perhaps you honor Jesus. Perhaps you love Jesus as a teacher, prophet, and one who brings you comfort. But beloved, that’s NOT all that Jesus is. He is GOD! HE is LORD!! And that we might NOT only honorHim, but obey Him and submit our lives to him. Who do you sayHe is? NOT just with your lips, but with your life? And that’s what Jesus presses for next. He won’t allow for some distance comfort or second-hand faith.
--------------------------------------------------- Jesus Confronts Our Opinions
II. Jesus Demands A Personal Confession (v.20)
II. Jesus Demands A Personal Confession (v.20)
The ultimate question Jesus was pressing for was the question of His disciples' faith. Because what is behind the lack of the crowd’s understanding of Jesus as the Son of Man. It is NOT only a lack of completion, but a lack of faith. They refused to believe. And so, in light of confusion and opinions of Jesus, Jesus looks to His disciples, NOT for their opinion. But rather for their confession.
20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
In all four gospel’s the YOU is emphatic! Jesus says, I know what everyone else is saying. I know what the crowds say. And they walk away in unbelief! I'm aware of what people have been saying. I’ve been inviting people to come unto me in faith and to look to me in faith as the Son of Man. But the crowds turn away in disregard! But WHO DO YOU….say that I am?
And what Peter confesses is the truth about Jesus….The Son of Man….Jesus is the Christ of God. Now, we will see in a moment, their understanding of that, the disciples will continue to grasp their heads around. But Peter says you are the CHRIST. He’s saying you are the one we’ve been waiting for. You are the anointed one! You are the one chosen by God! You are the Messiah!
The Term Christ – CHRISTOS – means Messiah. It means the anointed one. It’s a loaded term. And it helps to understand a little bit of the Old Testament, specifically of who was anointed. First, priests were anointed. They were consecrated for service in the temple with anointing oil. Set apart for priestly duties. This is what you see happening for Aaron and His sons in Exodus 28 and Leviticus 8. Likewise, Prophets were anointed. Take for example Elisha in 1 Kings 19, and Isaiah in Isaiah 61, when he says Isaiah 61:1-2
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Which is what Jesus has in mind when He proclaims these very words in Luke 4. Jesus is clearly revealing himself to be meeting long-awaited expectations of the people!
But another office that received anointing. Not just the prophets, NOT just the priest….But more so, anointings were for kings. You see Samuel anointing Saul in 1 Samuel 10, and then David as King in 1 Samuel 16—likewise, Solomon in 1 Kings 1, and Jehu in 2 Kings 9.
And wrapped up in this confession. This statement: You are the Christ. Is the anticipation that Jesus is fulfilling the long-awaited office of the Messiah. The True PROPHET, THE TRUE PRIEST, and TRUE KING of God’s people! He is a prophet who is better than Moses. He is a better High Priest after Aaron and the order of Melchizedek. And He is a better than and the fulfillment of a better king than David.
See for all of Israel’s history. They had longed and waited for the ancient promises of God to come. And when Peter speaks up as the spokesman for the disciples and says You are the CHRIST! He’s saying you are it.
YOU are the one who we’ve longed to come and finally crush the serpents head (Gen 3:15). You are the prophet that God raised up, who is better than Moses among his brothers (Duet 18:18)! You are the one who will sit on David’s throne and rule the Nations and be a true and lasting king over your people (2 Sam 7:12-16). You are the one through whom the promises given to Abraham of a true offspring, a blessing, and an inheritance come. Through the true Son! Through the true prophets, the true priest, the true king. The ANNOINTED ONE. YOU ARE THE MESSIAH!! The one whom we hope in for salvation!
And at this moment– Peter and the disciples are confessing, and really catching up with what the reader has known all along, if we are willing to listen to Luke’s message! Luke 2:11 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And what Simeon confessed at Jesus' dedication – Luke 2:26 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.Of what the people anticipated that John might be, but John revealed Jesus to be much more!! John in Luke 3:15-16 15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.Of what Jesus declared of Himself when he declares the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him in Luke 4:18. And what the demons professed in Luke 4:41 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
And so Peter says – you are the CHRIST of God! You are from God. You are the one the Lord promised to send to deliver us. To save you. Jesus, you are the Savior!!
To which we have to see this in light of how this happened for Peter. Peter wasn’t smarter than the average bear. He wasn’t more deserving than any other Jews in that crowd that had been following Jesus. No, Jesus is constantly dividing the audience and calling for faith. And so in Matthew 16. Jesus says quite clearly.
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
This is sovereign grace, open the eyes of Peter, rather than in spite of all types of false and incomplete views of who Jesus is. Here is the correct understanding. Granted with eyes of Father to see Jesus who He is. More than a prophet. More than a priest and more than just another king. He is the awaited and anointed one! The CHRIST of God. The Messiah!!
This shows us that this question is more than just a question of intellect. It’s a matter of faith. Do we believe!! Do we have faith in who Christ really is!! But it’s also deeply personal! Who do you say that I am!?
See, lots of people knew about Jesus’ ministry. They knew lots of facts about him. They knew him as a good teacher. They knew Him as just another one of the prophets. They saw him as a great example. Someone with great power. They knew about Him, but they didn’t really know Him. They knew about Jesus, but they had no portion in JESUS!! They didn’t have faith, they didn’t believe!
Which is interesting because we live in a time and place where that’s quite easy to know a lot about Jesus. It’s easy to know a lot through repetition and recitations of the truth about Christ, but to miss the truth of CHRIST in our hearts. It’s the difference in knowing Christ by repetition, and knowing Him, by the grace of God REVEALING to you, WHO JESUS is. It’s pushing past public opinion, or facts about Jesus….into personal confession of Christ as Lord and Savior!!
And it begs the question. Who do you say that Jesus is!? How do you answer that question? As a good teacher? As someone to be known by common knowledge or by DIVINE revelation. YOU ARE THE CHRIST. THE MESSIAH….THE SAVIOR!! Which, to acknowledge Him as Savior, implies our need for SAVING….That you need redemption! You need salvation! And the only way that can happen is for the Christ, the anointed one, to DELIVER YOU! (and that’s the turn of this text)
--------------------------------------------------- Jesus Demands A Personal Confession
III. Jesus Refines What We Expect (v.21-22)
III. Jesus Refines What We Expect (v.21-22)
The term "Christ" or "Messiah" was a loaded term. And that’s what Jesus is getting at in verses 21-22. Jesus recognizes that rightly identifying Him as the Christ came with implications. And those implications are demonstrated here.
21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,
It’s interesting, the response of Jesus. It seems in Gentile regions, Jesus encouraged the proclamation of His Lordship. Such was the case of the demon-possessed man in Luke 8:39 – Return home and tell everyone what God has done for you!.... But here, he tells them to tell no one!
The word for strictly charge. It’s a strong word. In fact, every other time that Luke uses this word, the word is REBUKED. It means to rebuke or reprove. And then Jesus gives this a command. He orders them NOT to tell anyone of this news. See, being the Christ of God comes with implications. And everyone would have expectations about who the Christ was and what he would do!
The most prevalent thought was that the Messiah would come as a political leader. They thought that the Messiah would come in great political might and with great influence, and lead an uprising to overthrow the Romans, and end their oppression of God’s people, and free them from bondage to Rome, and they would be released and free them to worship Yahweh. So Jesus, knowing that, doesn’t need a premature conflict with the Roman authorities. The plan of God was to unfold in perfect timing, and the Lord Himself would reveal His authority and Messiahship in His own timing.
And here is where you see that Jesus is refining even the disciples’ understanding of who the Son of Man is. They, too, still had areas that needed growth. Mark 8 points us to Peter’s understanding when Jesus said these things. Mark 8:31-33
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
And so here are the disciples, though they rightly see Jesus as the Christ. They are still growing in their understanding of what that means. And they’ll continue to do that until after the resurrection. And I know because no one was at the cross, thinking, hey guys, don’t worry, because in three days, He’s going to rise again. No one is thinking that! In fact, the one person who does continue in faith is a Roman centurion that says, “Surely He is the Son of GOD!” But the disciples are still wrapping their heads around these things.
So Jesus is refining expectations. See, you think the kingdom coming looks like a political conquest. You think the kingdom coming looks like comfort on earth. You think it looks like a victory of physical enemies over Rome. But Jesus is saying, 'I’m NOT looking to overthrow Rome.' I’m NOT looking to save you from Roman oppression. Man, if you think the kingdom is about a political movement, you’re going to be greatly disappointed. Now, that doesn’t mean that faith has no place in influence and engaging in the public square, WE SHOULD DO SO….but our hope is NOT a political hope, and if it is, we too will be disappointed. Jesus is concerned with conquering a bigger enemy. Namely, the enemy of sin and death, and the oppression of our sin and guilt before God, and the enemy of the rule of hell and Satan.
Jesus didn’t come to seize a throne in Jerusalem, but to bear a cross at Calvary — to conquer sin, death, and Satan so that His people might be truly free. So he continues in v.22.
21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
The Son of Man is the Messianic expectation of the rule and authority of the Messiah, prophesied in Daniel 7, who would possess authority and rule over all peoples, nations, and tongues. And yet, here Jesus introduces another motif. That the Son ofMan will also experience suffering, he will be rejected, and he will be killed!
This is weaving in themes of the suffering servant from the prophet Isaiah. And specifically Isaiah 53
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
And from this point in Luke’s Gospel, everything begins to move toward the fulfillment of this divine plan. Jesus speaks of taking up the cross, and everyone knew exactly what that meant. The cross was NOT a symbol of hope—it was an instrument of pain and death! Yet Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem(Luke 9:51), determined to walk that path of suffering obedience. We watch as He is rejected by the religious leaders (Luke 22:2, 66–71), betrayed, mocked, crucified, and buried(Luke 22–23). But on the third day—just as He said—He rises again (Luke 24:1–7). His suffering was NOT a tragic end, but the very plan of God unfolding in perfect timing.
And this, too, fulfills the promise of Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”Jesus Himself quotes this verse in Luke 20:17, showing that His rejection was NOT defeat, but the very foundation of God’s plan. The religious leaders—cast Him aside, but God raised Him up as the cornerstone of salvation. The rejected Son has become the risen Lord! The suffering Servant has become the victorious Savior!
So when Jesus says in Luke 9:22 that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again, He is declaring the heart of the gospel. What humanity rejected, God exalted. What looked like loss became victory. For on the third day, the rejected stone became the cornerstone of redemption, and the cross—the cruel instrument of death—became the hope of eternal life for those who trust in Christ! Because NOT only will he suffer…and be rejected and be killed. But on the third day. He’ll be raised and victorious in His redemptive work of salvation!
But I don’t want you to miss this small word that makes all the difference. It’s what the disciples need further clarified. Peter would resist the Lord when He heard Jesus speak like that. But don’t miss it. These things must happen! There aren’t just aspirations. These things are necessary. The word MUST changes everything. These things were NOT an accident, but a Divine plan and orchestration! In how God chose to bring about the redemption of sinful humanity was through the crushing of His own son, at the hands of wicked and sinful men on the cross. God would accomplish Salvation for His people. These things must happen. NOT in that they were forced by men, but ordained by God as the means of salvation that the Messiah would conquer hell, death, and the grave, and destroy the works of Satan and evil, and reconcile wayward sinners to God! Through the blood of His cross, and the hope of the empty tomb!!
That on the cross, God reveals what my sin rightly deserves and what His love was willing to endure. That this is how salvation is accomplished, through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for my sin and your sin.
At which point the necessity of the cross and of faith find a glorious, bloody, sobering awakening. Namely, that the suffering that Jesus experienced wasn’t merely for me, but also as a result of my sin and rebellion against God. In that, though, He suffered at the hands of sinners. And rejected by the chief priest, and the scribes, and he was put to death by wicked and evil men. The reality is deeper than that, and more personal than that. In that, it was MY sin that made his suffering necessary. Every proud thought, every selfish desire, every act of rebellion and violation of the law of God. IT WAS ME!! That I was the reviler. I was His enemy. I was a scorner and scoffer, and sinner who made Christ suffer and death necessary!! So as we sing– of HOW DEEP THE FATHER’s LOVE FOR US….
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
And until we seethe weight of that. We will never fully understand the great love of Christ for us. That it’s there that we see the depth of our guilt before God, where we truly embrace the beauty of his grace clearly. That at the cross we see the depth of our sin and guilt before God, but also the great love in which Christ willingly gave His own life to save us!!
And so Isaiah writes in Isaiah 53:5-6
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Because the hope is NOT only in that he suffered, and died….but that He rose from the grave! The resurrection is proof that He is Lord and He is Christ! He is MESSIAH!! HE IS KING!!
And so while it was my sin that condemned Him to death, it was His death that conquered my sin! And by His life, death, and resurrection, I am saved!
As we close today, I want us to hear again the question Jesus asks — a question that echoes through every generation: “Who do you say that I am?” This isn’t just a casual question or one for public debate. It’s a question that demands a personal answer. It’s NOT enough to repeat what others say, or to rely on what we’ve been taught. This question calls for a response from your heart — a heart that has been truly touched and convinced by God’s grace.
Jesus is NOT interested in collecting opinions or hearing empty words. He is calling for repentance and faith. He is calling you to seeHim clearly as the Christ of God — the Savior who willingly suffered for your sin, who died in your place, and who rose again to give you new life. When that truth sinks deeply into your soul, something powerful happens: your pride begins to die, your faith begins to rise, and genuine worship begins to flow from your heart.
Jesus confronts our opinions, demands a personal confession, and refines what we expect from the Messiah. Ultimately, He exposes our hearts and calls us to trust in His cross alone. So I ask you again — NOT for the crowd, NOT for tradition, but for yourself— who do you say that Jesus is? Will your answer be one of conviction and faith, declaring with confidence, “You are the Christ, my Lord and my Redeemer”?
Sermon Summary: Jesus exposes our hearts and calls us to trust in His cross!
