Jesus Asked, “Who Do You Say that I Am?”

Many times Jesus would ask people questions. His questions provoked thought in the way they answered them. His questions often determined a person’s faith level, whether it was faith in healing or faith in him as the Messiah. He did not ask questions because he needed to know the answers. He already knew the answers. His questions made people reflect on their belief systems.

Sick Man at Pool of Bethesda

The sick man at the Pool of Bethesda had bee sick for some 38 years. Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?” Even though the man showed doubt in his answer, “Sir,” . . . “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” He demonstrated his faith in the healing power of Jesus by getting up when Jesus said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” (John:5:2-9)

Blind Bartimaeus

In Jericho, Jesus and his disciples encountered Blind Bartimaeus as he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus called to him and Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and went to Jesus. Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus replied that he wanted to see. Jesus said, “Go” . . . “your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)

Two Blind Men

When Jesus went to Jairus’, the synagogue leader’s house to raise his dead little girl, “two blind men followed him, calling out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’” As they followed him inside of Jairus’ house, Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They replied in faith, “Yes, Lord . . . Then he touched their eyes and said , ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’; and their sight was restored.” (Matthew 9:27-33)

The Messiah Question

As Jesus traveled to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They answered that some said that He was John the Baptist; some said that He was Elijah and some said that He was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus goes even further and asked them, “But what about you?” . . . “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

So, the question to you is: who do you say that Jesus is? Do you see Jesus as the Messiah? Jesus said to Simon Peter In Matthew 16:17, “. . . this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” The revelation of Christ, the Son, and the Rock upon which the foundation of His church is built is afforded to all who believe. Jesus goes on to tell Peter that upon this revelation , the gates of hell shall not prevail and that the keys to the kingdom of heaven are given to those who believe.—whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. (v. 18-19) Again, who do you say that Jesus is? Your answer to that question will depend on whether Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior.

If Jesus is not your Savior, ask forgiveness of and repent of your sins today. Ask that Messiah I have been writing about to come into your heart as your Lord, your Savior. 1 John 1:9 states that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Be blessed.

If you don’t know how to pray the sinner’s prayer, repeat these words: “Dear Jesus, I come to you today as a sinner. I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I recognize you as my Savior and I ask you to come into my heart and reign as Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus for saving me today, ___________________.

Scripture References:

Romans 10:9-10 . . . if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved.” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Isaiah 53:5 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.