Who do you say I am?

Conclusions

Jesus has been doing ministry for awhile now and perhaps feels that they should know Him by now, so He asks the question to begin this passage, Matthew 16:13 (NRSV)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

(Mk 8:27–30; Lk 9:18–20)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” We should consider the fact that Jesus is not asking the religious authorities, who would have had a much different opinion of who Jesus was, but He asks the people who have been with him, including the disciples. The question here is an important question to ask because it measures the success of Jesus’ ministry. You might say why does it matter who they think he is? Let’s look at a few of the names Jesus had been called. Good Shepherd - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Jesus had a way about himself that led people to good things.

Light of the World – "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 Jesus brought light into the world and illuminated the way.

Messiah – “We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41 Early in Jesus’ ministry the disciples thought that they had found the Messiah that had been prophesied.

Rabbi-is a name that they gave Jesus because he was truly a teacher. “Jesus: Rabbi, or teacher”. So as we think about the names of Jesus, and there will be many, we need to reflect on why Jesus asked the question to them about who they say he is. Matthew 16:14 (NRSV)

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” When they thought about Jesus and who he was they only had others before him to compare. Look at their answer and see what they see. John the Baptist, who came to make the ways straight. John had his own disciples and followers, but at the appropriate time John said of Jesus, He must increase and I must decrease.

Elijah, one of the great prophets. Jeremiah-another man of God, who was once considered to be the weeping prophet because the message was never easy to deliver.

The question that Jesus really seems to want to understand is not what others say about him, but perhaps what the disciples thought about him compared to others. Matthew 16:15 (NRSV)

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” It is interesting that the you in verse 15 is plural, so as the students a Asbury used to say, you’all. What do you’all think about me? What happens next is the first direct affirmation of Jesus being the Lord. Matthew 16:16 (NRSV)

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” But we need to take that statement a step father than to just say Jesus is the Messiah, because if by that Peter simply meant that he was the Son of David that would not have answered Jesus’ question to satisfaction. Just as calling me pastor would merely be a significance of the office I hold, but the significance of me being your spiritual leader. Matthew 16:17 (NRSV)

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. So, Jesus reveals to Peter and the world, that man cannot get this understanding from man. Do you see the important distinction here? Jesus is really asking about what they know in their hearts. It has been said for many years that the hardest move is the movement of head knowledge to heart knowledge. It is only eighteen inches from the head to the heart but many never have a heart knowledge of who Jesus is.

Jesus then proclaims a prophesy concerning Peter, Matthew 16:18 (NRSV)

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I personally believe that anyone who has this heart knowledge can be a foundation that Jesus will build His church on. Was Peter the first? Perhaps, but he would not be the last. If you feel that you are lacking heart knowledge let us pray now for this to be revealed to you.

Jesus gives us the keys to the Kingdom if we understand who He is in our hearts. Matthew 16:19 (NRSV)

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The keys to the Kingdom relates directly to the power of God. The interesting part comes next, Matthew 16:20 (NRSV)

20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Why do you suppose he ordered the disciples to not tell anyone that He was the messiah?