Who do you say that I am?
Who do you say that I am?
By: Carey Danielson, Pastor
Description: Tehachapi Sovereign Grace Church
Topics: Church
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 320 times
0 responses 0 comments Every day we are confronted with many questions to ponder and decisions to make. We expend a great deal of energy considering which ones we should address. It is important to use our time wisely and focus our attention on the questions that have the most significance for our lives. How many times have we deliberated over questions that never needed to be asked in the first place? We find out later that our time and energy was wasted.
One question we must consider is, “Who is Jesus of Nazareth?” Eternity hangs in the balance on how we answer that question. The correct answer leads down one path; let's call it the narrow road. The wrong answer leads down a different path; we'll call that one the broad road. Every person is on a path in this life; they are on one road or the other.
Jesus asked His disciples a compelling question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). This was a bold statement since the religious leaders of the day rejected Jesus as the Christ because He was neither what they expected nor what they wanted. By making this statement, Peter affirmed that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the Christ, and that He is truly God. Jesus was not merely a good example to follow or just a great leader of faith; He is much more.
Jesus claimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). What was He communicating through these statements? He was talking about how a person gets into a right relationship with God. Because we are sinners we need to be reconciled to God; our sin must be forgiven. We owe a debt to God that only Jesus can pay. He is the only way to life and reconciliation with God the Father. One way is narrow and leads to life; the other way is broad leading to death (Matthew 7:13-15). Eternal life is only available through Jesus. He is the only door leading to life (John 10:9-11). God does not forgive sin arbitrarily. He forgives those who in faith express godly sorrow over their sin, repent, and turn to Him through Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-10). Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2Corinthians 7:8-10).
Jesus is either God the Son who gave His life as a ransom for sin or He was a martyr who died for a cause some 2,000 years ago. What does the Bible say about Jesus and who did He claim to be? To assert that Jesus was merely a prophet does not do justice to the biblical text. Ponder this question and find out how the Bible answers it. Your life depends on finding the right answer because doing your best is not good enough. You need a Savior.
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