Who do you say that I am?

(Mt 16:13-20)

That may be the single most important question in the whole Bible. Indeed, perhaps the most important question anyone could ever ask to us.  The truth of all the great claims Jesus made depends on His identity.  The application in our lives depends on how much we believe and trust what He said, and what He is.

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

The world has given different answers throughout history:

"Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Look at the answers. A prophet who baptized for repentance. A prophet whose prayer caused no rain to fall for three years and a half. A prophet who denounced the religious people of his age.

Nowadays, the world will say

* He was a (great) prophet

* He was a good teacher

* He was a good leader

* Oh, a rebel without a cause, a revolutionary, a human rights activist, a skillful politician, a benefactor of humanity, a fictional character (yes, I’ve heard that),  an avatar (!).

But we, who have been walking with Him, should know better.  So Jesus rephrases the question

Who do YOU say I am?

Peter’s answer is simple and yet so meaningful. Maybe we have read it many times and still don’t grasp the full meaning.  It is essential that we go beyond memorizing this verse or giving intellectual assent to it. We should hold it dear in our hearts.

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Let us never forget Jesus is the Messiah, the Chosen One and on Him rests all authority. The only one who could save us.

Let us remember He is the Son of the only God, who is alive and a God of the living, a God who is always present and caring. He is The one God the Father described as This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mt 3:17). Let us remember for His obedience we are forgiven our rebellions, which are many. Through His righteousness the Lord forgets our injustices.

And let us remember Jesus is, as John the Baptist described Him, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". (Jn 1:29).

Do you see yourself as a sinner? Do you constantly go to the Cross for forgiveness? Isn´t it true that sometimes we forget and we tend to take pride in our own accomplishments and good works?

Unless we understand how sinful we are, we won’t understand why Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, had to humble Himself, step down from the glories of Heaven, and accept becoming one of us. And we won’t grasp the full meaning of the Cross.

He was wounded for our transgressions, 
He was bruised for our iniquities; 
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, 
And by His stripes we are healed.  (Is 53:5)
 

And if we just don’t get it... we may end up thinking...

That Jesus is a kind of Santa Claus, who is supposed to give gifts to good and obedient children (as if we were such!). That He is a kind of good luck charm that we go to in times of trouble to ward off danger. That He is there to ensure we live a successful, happy and problem-free life on this Earth.

And we will forget to bow our knee before Him, the name which is above every name, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

On our relationship with Jesus depends our eternity. So let’s make sure we give the right answer, not only with our words, but with our thoughts, our innermost feelings and actions. And every breath that we take, every decision we make, let’s do it for the glory of the One who saved us!