Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [1]

What are people saying about Jesus? Do they compare Him to the Baptist, to Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets? Those men spoke out against idolatry, exploitation and proclaimed that only the true God saves people from sin.

Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [2]

Yes! Jesus is Messiah! Far superior to all others! Only in Him is there salvation!

Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because flesh and blood had not revealed this truth to him. The Father in heaven had! He told Peter that “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [3]

The glory of Jesus as Messiah is supreme. The profession of Jesus as Messiah is the rock foundation of the Church. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it! The profession of Jesus alone as the Christ, the Son of God, is the key of the kingdom of heaven. In Christ Jesus, the devil’s evil is bound and the goodness of God is released.

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” [4]

In one moment, Peter made the greatest profession that any person can profess, namely that Jesus is Messiah, but in the next moment, he spoke for Satan when he rebuked Jesus for saying that He would be killed and resurrected.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” [5]

Turning people from the power of Satan to the power of God demands sacrifice. [6] It cost Jesus His life. He had to become a sacrifice for sin. He died a cruel and humiliating death to demonstrate God’s love for us. He resurrected from the dead and showed Himself to be alive to witnesses.

Jesus calls us who want to join in His mission, who want to be His disciples, to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow Him. He will reward each of us according to our works.

So, what kind of works are we producing? Who are we professing Jesus to be? Are we colluding the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead with fairy tales about an easter bunny or a legend about Saint Nicolas with flying reindeers? Are we denying ourselves collusion with popular folklore to stand with the only truth that saves people’s souls from hell? Picking up the cross and following Jesus is to proclaim Him and Him alone as the only Lord and Savior of souls. After all He did for us, He is worthy of all glory, blessing and praise!

[1] Matthew 16:13-15
[2] Matthew 16:15-16
[3] Matthew 16:17-19
[4] Matthew 16:21-23
[5] Matthew 16:24-27
[6] Acts 26:18