Who do you say Jesus is?

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:15-18

Jesus had confronted His disciples with a powerful question, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Their responses were very honest and straight forward, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." Jesus goes on to ask the gripping question, "But whom say ye that I am?" It mattters not what others think of Jesus, what do you think of Jesus?

OUR PERCEPTION OF JESUS REVEALS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM

Our perception of Jesus reveals our relationship to Him. Some people viewed Jesus as merely a "good teacher" while others said He was "a prophet of God". They listened to Him but were not willing to follow HIm. Peter on the other hand, said that He is "the Christ". Peter had come to recognize that this was not just another teacher or just another prophet, but literally "the Son of the living God". How could Peter be so sure of himself? Was he being "narrow-minded"? I don't think so. When we read what Jesus said to Peter, that it was not flesh and blood that had revealed this to him, "...but my Father in heaven."

A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WTIH JESUS IS NEEDED

In John 6:44 Jesus said that "No man can come to me, except the Father that hath sent me draw him." How does the Father draw us? By the Holy Spirit. Many people know of Jesus, know about Him, but have never really had a personal encounter with Him. They have never let the Holy Spirit draw them, but a preacher or teacher or a friend. When the Holy Spirit does the drawing, and we are "in Christ" we become "...a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This personal encounter makes a definite change.

WHO DO YOU SAY CHRIST IS?

Who do you say Christ is? How do you perceive Christ? Is He the only Savior of the world or is He just one of the ways to get to Heaven? Do you really believe there is no other way to the Father but by Him? If you do, then according to the Word of God you are "born-again". Jesus said to Nicodemus "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). "That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). Who do you say Jesus is?