The Question We All Must Answer

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “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.” Matthew 16:13-16

It is common when applying for a new job to provide a résumé that includes references. These references, of course, are people who know the candidate well and can speak as to what kind of person he or she is. Typically, when references are contacted, one of the questions that are asked is simply, “What can you tell me about so and so?” They want to know who you think this person is.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus wanted to get a read on what His disciples thought of Him. So He asked them a question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” It’s an interesting question, especially considering where they were at the time.

Matthew tells us that they were in Caesarea Philippi. This city was located in the upper Jordan River Valley along the southwest slopes of Mt. Hermon. From the earliest days it was the center of the Canaanite worship of Baal. Later during the Greek period, a shrine was erected there in honor of the god Pan whose was thought to control the crops that grew in the region. After that, Herod the Great built a white marble temple dedicated to the worship of Emperor Augustus.

Thus Caesarea Philippi was the center of a wide diversity of religious thought and practice. So it’s no surprise that Jesus asked His question here. He wanted to know what the consensus was about him in this religiously pluralist setting.

Quickly, the disciples answered. “Some say you are John, the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” These were some of the kinder answers to his question. They knew full well that some of their fellow countrymen had much more negative opinions of Him.

They had heard Jesus called a hypocrite or a blasphemer. He was someone who associated with sinners – a person under the control of Satan. Even some members of Jesus’ own family thought that He was crazy. Again, the disciples knew all of this, but they kept it to themselves.

The bottom line, however, was crystal clear. There were all kinds of opinions about Jesus. That’s when Jesus turned to His disciples and asked them the big question, “But who do you say that I am?”

That’s no small question. The disciples were products of their culture just like those who were around them. They knew what others thought of Him, but they needed to decide as well.

And so do we. For we too live in a time when people around us have all kinds of opinions about Jesus. Some think of him a nothing more than a moral teacher or advocate for people in need. Others think of Him as a kind of religious sage offering little truisms about life similar to what one might find in a fortune cookie.

Still others think of him as a nice religious leader whose followers made outlandish claims about him that while inspiring were nevertheless untrue. And, of course, there is an increasing number of people who think of him as simply a fraud. In their minds, he either never really existed, or he was a cult leader like Jim Jones who deceived His followers with his quick mind and persuasive speech.

So again, there are a lot of opinions out there about Jesus. But the question is this. Who do you say that He is? Oh, I know the Sunday School answer. He’s the Christ, the Son of the Living God. That’s what Peter said. And that’s what you might think. But I’m not asking for the Sunday School answer. I’m asking for the real answer.

For you see, the truth about what we really think of Him isn’t found in our theological understanding. Rather it’s found in what we do with Him. We can say all day long that we believe that He’s the Christ. That He’s the Son of God. That He’s the Lord of all. But it’s just words if our claims are not matched by our actions.

Think about it. If Jesus really is who He says He is, then it only makes sense that we would give our lives to Him. And I don’t just mean an initial profession of faith. I’m talking about giving our lives to Him as a faithful follower – a disciple who is committed to allowing Jesus to replicate His life through us so that we live as He would live if He were us.

So again, during this Holy Week, as we are reminded of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and as we celebrate the triumph of His resurrection, let me ask the question. Who do you say that He is? I believe it’s the most important question you will ever answer.