Who Do Men Say that I Am?

In all things, Christ is our example. That being said, we need to ask ourselves, how exactly did Jesus triumph in His life? We could easliy conclude that He "obeyed God", or "followed God's leading". Or, you might believe that since He was the "Son of God", it would be natural that He should succeed in life where others failed. So were does that leave us? Is there any hope for us that we will be able to succed and triumph when we are hit by "life"?


Let's go back to Jesus and follow His example. Jesus knew three important things about His life:

1. He knew Who He was

2. He knew His final destiny

3. He knew the path He would have to take to finish the course



We find that all of these were:

1. Confirmed by the Scriptures

2. Approved by God

3. Recognized by men



Even from a very young age, Jesus knew He was different from those around Him. He had a connection with God that others just did not have. In Luke 2, we learn that at the age of 12, Jesus and His parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. On the way home, they realized that Jesus was not with them: they had "lost" Him. In Luke 2: 46-50, it says,

"Then, after three days they found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanking and His answers.

When they saw Him, they were astonishd, and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxioulsy looking for You."

And He said to them, "Why is it you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"

But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.



We can clearly see that by the age of 12 Jesus already knew that Joseph was not His biological father, but rather God Himself.



Many years later, Jesus asks His disciples a very pointed question, one that each of us must consider how we will answer. In Matthew 16:13-17 & 23...And He was asking His disciples,

"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

And they said to Him, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

...Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.



I find it interesting that your opinion of Jesus will be effected by how close you walk with Him!



But what does "the Christ" mean? Isn't that just Jesus' last name: Jesus Christ. That word has no real meaning or significance in our day and age. It's meaning has certainly "been lost in the translation"! But what did it mean in the Bible days? What was the emphasis that causes Jesus to comment on how Peter received this knowledge? We must be missing something. And why does Jesus warn them to tell no one? Shouldn't such a magnificant fact be shouted from the rooftops to let everyone know the good news?



In the next few weeks we will be attempting to answer these questions and search the Scriptures to see Who Jesus said He was; because how each of us answers that question will detemine OUR final destination!! Let's enter into a discussion and see if we can come to some logical conclusion!



May You Always,

Triumph In Christ