Once Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am? ”
Matthew 16:15 (HCSB)15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
Mark 8:29 (HCSB)29 “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”
Luke 9:20 (HCSB)20 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah!”
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we believe that he is a member of the Trinity, the promised Messiah of Israel, and our Savior. He is all those things but who is Jesus really?
It’s like with one of our friends. We think we know everything about them but one day they do something that’s really new for you, something that we have never seen before, and we ask the question who is he/she really?
Yes He’s the Son of God, a member of the Trinity, the Messiah, and our Savior, but the extent of His character and personhood is much more.
Who Is Jesus to You?
The Bible attributes many different names and titles to Jesus. All of the 200 or so names and titles give us insight into His character and Who He really is. I’m not going to attempt to list them all here but I do want you give you those that I believe are some of the more important ones related to His work on earth on our behalf.
Author and Perfecter of our Faith:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He is leader or author, and perfecter or finisher of our faith. Jesus is the source and the One who sustains the faith that saves us which is is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Bread of Life:
John 6:35, 48 (NKJV)35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 48 I am the bread of life.
Bread (food) sustains our physical lives. Jesus is the Bread that gives and sustains eternal life. Just as God gave the people manna in the wilderness He has given us Jesus to give us eternal life through His body broken for us.
John 6:31-33 (NKJV)31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Just as bread sustains life in the physical sense, Jesus is the Bread that gives and sustains eternal life. God provided manna in the wilderness to feed His people and He provided Jesus to give us eternal life through His body, broken for us.
1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Friend
John 15:15 (HCSB)15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.
To prove that He is our friend He laid down His life for us;
John 15:13 (HCSB) No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
He has revealed to us what His Father told Him, friends do that.
Good Shepherd:
John 10:11, 14-15 (HCSB)11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me,
15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.
In Palestine, the area of Jesus’ earthly ministry a good shepherd was willing to risk his own life to protect his sheep from predators. Jesus laid down His life for us.
Micah 5:4 (HCSB)4 He will stand and shepherd ⌊them⌋ in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
1 Peter 5:4 (HCSB) And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
High Priest:
Hebrews 2:17 (HCSB)17 Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Jesus entered the Temple in heaven once and for all (unlike the Jewish high priest who had to enter once and year, every year), to make atonement for the sins of His people, those He shepherds.
Hebrews 9:7 (HCSB)7 But the high priest alone entered the second room, and ⌊he does⌋ that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.
Mediator:
1 Timothy 2:5 (HCSB) For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human,
Hebrews 8:6 (HCSB) But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.
A mediator is a person who works with two or more parties to reconcile differences between them. Jesus is the only One who was able to reconcile the man and God because of the sin that separated them. Reconciliation required punishment for sin and that punishment is death. Jesus as the Mediator offered Himself to pay that penalty for all of mankind. He was the only one who could mediate because He was the only human (Jesus walked the earth as all man and all God), who had never sinned and because it was through the Holy Spirit that He was conceived He did not inherit the sin nature of Adam. This made Him the perfect sacrifice and Mediator.
Luke 1:35 (HCSB)35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Rock:
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (HCSB)1 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea,2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food,4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.
As life giving water flowed from the rock that Moses struck the living waters of eternal life flow from Jesus The Rock;
Numbers 20:11 (HCSB) Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
Jesus and His words are the Rock on whom we build our spiritual makeup so that we can’t be shaken;
Matthew 7:24 (HCSB)24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.
True Vine:
John 15:1-5 (HCSB)1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper.2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.
The True Vine supplies what we need to produce the fruit of the Spirit which is the sum of the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life.
Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Matthew 16:15 (HCSB)15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
Mark 8:29 (HCSB)29 “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”
Luke 9:20 (HCSB)20 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah!”
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we believe that he is a member of the Trinity, the promised Messiah of Israel, and our Savior. He is all those things but who is Jesus really?
It’s like with one of our friends. We think we know everything about them but one day they do something that’s really new for you, something that we have never seen before, and we ask the question who is he/she really?
Yes He’s the Son of God, a member of the Trinity, the Messiah, and our Savior, but the extent of His character and personhood is much more.
Who Is Jesus to You?
The Bible attributes many different names and titles to Jesus. All of the 200 or so names and titles give us insight into His character and Who He really is. I’m not going to attempt to list them all here but I do want you give you those that I believe are some of the more important ones related to His work on earth on our behalf.
Author and Perfecter of our Faith:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He is leader or author, and perfecter or finisher of our faith. Jesus is the source and the One who sustains the faith that saves us which is is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Bread of Life:
John 6:35, 48 (NKJV)35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 48 I am the bread of life.
Bread (food) sustains our physical lives. Jesus is the Bread that gives and sustains eternal life. Just as God gave the people manna in the wilderness He has given us Jesus to give us eternal life through His body broken for us.
John 6:31-33 (NKJV)31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Just as bread sustains life in the physical sense, Jesus is the Bread that gives and sustains eternal life. God provided manna in the wilderness to feed His people and He provided Jesus to give us eternal life through His body, broken for us.
1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Friend
John 15:15 (HCSB)15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.
To prove that He is our friend He laid down His life for us;
John 15:13 (HCSB) No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
He has revealed to us what His Father told Him, friends do that.
Good Shepherd:
John 10:11, 14-15 (HCSB)11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me,
15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.
In Palestine, the area of Jesus’ earthly ministry a good shepherd was willing to risk his own life to protect his sheep from predators. Jesus laid down His life for us.
Micah 5:4 (HCSB)4 He will stand and shepherd ⌊them⌋ in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
1 Peter 5:4 (HCSB) And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
High Priest:
Hebrews 2:17 (HCSB)17 Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Jesus entered the Temple in heaven once and for all (unlike the Jewish high priest who had to enter once and year, every year), to make atonement for the sins of His people, those He shepherds.
Hebrews 9:7 (HCSB)7 But the high priest alone entered the second room, and ⌊he does⌋ that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.
Mediator:
1 Timothy 2:5 (HCSB) For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human,
Hebrews 8:6 (HCSB) But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.
A mediator is a person who works with two or more parties to reconcile differences between them. Jesus is the only One who was able to reconcile the man and God because of the sin that separated them. Reconciliation required punishment for sin and that punishment is death. Jesus as the Mediator offered Himself to pay that penalty for all of mankind. He was the only one who could mediate because He was the only human (Jesus walked the earth as all man and all God), who had never sinned and because it was through the Holy Spirit that He was conceived He did not inherit the sin nature of Adam. This made Him the perfect sacrifice and Mediator.
Luke 1:35 (HCSB)35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Rock:
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (HCSB)1 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea,2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food,4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.
As life giving water flowed from the rock that Moses struck the living waters of eternal life flow from Jesus The Rock;
Numbers 20:11 (HCSB) Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
Jesus and His words are the Rock on whom we build our spiritual makeup so that we can’t be shaken;
Matthew 7:24 (HCSB)24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.
True Vine:
John 15:1-5 (HCSB)1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper.2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.
The True Vine supplies what we need to produce the fruit of the Spirit which is the sum of the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life.
Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Wait There’s More
Revelation 1:4-6 (HCSB)4 John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who was, and who is coming; from the seven spirits before His throne;5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,6 and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—the glory and dominion are His forever and ever. Amen..”
These verses written by John in his letter to the seven churches in Asia reduces who Jesus really is to the bare essentials. He is:
The Faithful Witness:
Jesus came reveal the character and ways of His Father . The miracles He performed proved that He is the Son of God.
John 14:9 (HCSB)9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
First Born From the Dead:
Jesus died on the cross and bore our sins. He was buried and rose on the third day to prove that eternal life is available to us too.
John 11:25-26 (HCSB)25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth:
Jesus raises men to power and He is the one who removes them.
Romans 13:1 (HCSB) Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.
This is what Jesus told Pilate who was the representative of Rome the most powerful empire in the world at that time.
John 19:11 (HCSB)11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
Believers however have access to this higher authority. We are able to boldly approach the throne of God because of our belief in Jesus and our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Savior.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (HCSB)14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Revelation 1:4-6 (HCSB)4 John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who was, and who is coming; from the seven spirits before His throne;5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,6 and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—the glory and dominion are His forever and ever. Amen..”
These verses written by John in his letter to the seven churches in Asia reduces who Jesus really is to the bare essentials. He is:
The Faithful Witness:
Jesus came reveal the character and ways of His Father . The miracles He performed proved that He is the Son of God.
John 14:9 (HCSB)9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
First Born From the Dead:
Jesus died on the cross and bore our sins. He was buried and rose on the third day to prove that eternal life is available to us too.
John 11:25-26 (HCSB)25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth:
Jesus raises men to power and He is the one who removes them.
Romans 13:1 (HCSB) Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.
This is what Jesus told Pilate who was the representative of Rome the most powerful empire in the world at that time.
John 19:11 (HCSB)11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
Believers however have access to this higher authority. We are able to boldly approach the throne of God because of our belief in Jesus and our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Savior.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (HCSB)14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Jesus is God!!
John 1:1 (HCSB)1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word (Jesus) didn’t become God He was God
John 10:30 (HCSB)30 The Father and I are one.”
Jesus, in a very straightforward and blunt in announcing His deity.
Revelation 1:17 (HCSB) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last,
Christ identifies himself with the title Alpha and Omega (the first and the last) , a title used of God.
When the angel had a visit with Joseph and told him to not put Mary away here's what he said to him'
Isaiah, hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, in prophesying about the coming Messiah said;
Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB) 14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Share Who Jesus is to You
We’ve also been called to share the message of salvation through Jesus with all those whom God has placed in our lives. Like the shepherds and Luke, we have an incredible message for the whole world, and we simply cannot keep it to ourselves! And with smartphones and social media platforms literally in the palm of our hands 24/7, sharing experiences and capturing moments as they happen has never been easier.
Today, everyone shares everything. From photos, to emotions, to golden nuggets of wisdom, our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds are never lacking content. We’ve witnessed the power of Christ change our hearts and give us peace . . . now we must share this amazing news with the same excitement and joy as we do a great photo on Instagram! Take some time today to creatively share Jesus who Jesus really is in your life.
He's Your Savior
I've shared much of what God's Word has to say about His identity, but on the night He was born, this is what the angel said,
Luke 2:11 (HCSB) Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior then you can’t know Him in any of these other ways. He’s not your friend, He’s not your mediator, He’s just another man to you. You’re missing the peace He can bring to you as the Prince of Peace; you’re missing the direction that He can give as Wonderful Counselor, you’re missing protection He can give you as Almighty God. If you really want to know Jesus all you have to do is come to Him and ask Him to come into your life. Here is all you need to do;
Romans 10:9-10 (HCSB)9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
Now pray this simple prayer;
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody, leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. Welcome to the family of God.
John 1:1 (HCSB)1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word (Jesus) didn’t become God He was God
John 10:30 (HCSB)30 The Father and I are one.”
Jesus, in a very straightforward and blunt in announcing His deity.
Revelation 1:17 (HCSB) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last,
Christ identifies himself with the title Alpha and Omega (the first and the last) , a title used of God.
When the angel had a visit with Joseph and told him to not put Mary away here's what he said to him'
Isaiah, hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, in prophesying about the coming Messiah said;
Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB) 14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Share Who Jesus is to You
We’ve also been called to share the message of salvation through Jesus with all those whom God has placed in our lives. Like the shepherds and Luke, we have an incredible message for the whole world, and we simply cannot keep it to ourselves! And with smartphones and social media platforms literally in the palm of our hands 24/7, sharing experiences and capturing moments as they happen has never been easier.
Today, everyone shares everything. From photos, to emotions, to golden nuggets of wisdom, our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds are never lacking content. We’ve witnessed the power of Christ change our hearts and give us peace . . . now we must share this amazing news with the same excitement and joy as we do a great photo on Instagram! Take some time today to creatively share Jesus who Jesus really is in your life.
He's Your Savior
I've shared much of what God's Word has to say about His identity, but on the night He was born, this is what the angel said,
Luke 2:11 (HCSB) Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior then you can’t know Him in any of these other ways. He’s not your friend, He’s not your mediator, He’s just another man to you. You’re missing the peace He can bring to you as the Prince of Peace; you’re missing the direction that He can give as Wonderful Counselor, you’re missing protection He can give you as Almighty God. If you really want to know Jesus all you have to do is come to Him and ask Him to come into your life. Here is all you need to do;
Romans 10:9-10 (HCSB)9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
Now pray this simple prayer;
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody, leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. Welcome to the family of God.
RSS Feed