But Whom Say Ye That I Am

Passage to read: Matthew 16:13-17

The disciples of Jesus Christ had been walking with Hm for quite some time now. They've heard him teach and had even seen him perform many miracles, yet still lacked so much faith, that even the Lord Himself was baffled by their unbelief! Look at Matthew 16:5-11 (just a few verses above our passage). But let's give them some credit, after the Lord's rebuke, they finally understood that he was speaking concerning doctrine.

Now back to our original text. The Lord asks them an important question, "whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Verse 13...notice, that in a way, the Lord Jesus Christ gives away the answer (Answer: The Son of man). But they answered that some think he was John the Baptist, some Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the prophets. You see, many recongnized that Jesus was no ordinary man. And neither was He! But recognizing Him as "no ordinary man" is not good enough. Muslims will tell you and agree with you that Jesus was a "good man", a "prophet", and many in today's world say that he was a "good teacher with a good message". But that is not good enough. Thinking all these nice things about Jesus Christ will still land you in Hell. Beware!! You must give Jesus Christ the glory and honour due unto Him. He is more than just a good man...He is LORD OF LORDS, AND KING OF KINGS.

But going back to our text, after hearing their answers, the Lord decides to make it more personal, after all, they were his chosen disciples whom He loved very much. Verse 15 "but whom say ye that I am?" Verse 16: Notice that only Simon Peter jumps up to answer the question. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Amen!!

Read verse 17. Who revealed this important truth about Jesus Christ to Peter? No one else but the Father Himself. God the Father revealed to Simon Peter that Jesus was not just an ordinary man, but that He was and Is the CHRIST, the Son of the living God!! Read verses 20 and 21. After that truth was make known unto Peter, and the rest of the disciples, that is when Jesus was finally able to reveal his sole purpose of coming to earth - to suffer and to exchange His life a reason for our souls. You see, once you recongize the Lord Jesus as THE CHRIST, only then can you understand the plan of salvation. Only then can you understand what He did on the cross of Calvary. Only then can you be saved. You must know Him as the Christ, as the Saviour of your soul. After all, that is what His name means: Jesus - For He shall saved His people from their sins (Matt 1:21). And notice HIS people!!

Allow me to show you one more thing. You see, someone once told me a very important truth. In everything in life, we first must see it to believe it. But with God, it takes faith! You believe on Him FIRST, and then He'll reveal and prove Himself to you.

Now read Matthew 17:19. Imagine this. Six days after Peter puts His faith in Jesus and recognizes Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, He is taken, along with James & John, to the Mount of Transfiguration, and there, they witness something unimaginable. Remember, Jesus had no beauty that we shoul desire Him. Isaiah 53:2. He looked like an ordinary man (though he was no ordinary man). But He just took on the form of a man, but really, He was God!!! Oh the Glory that He left just to come and die for me!!! And on that day, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James & John got to see Him in all His MAJESTY!!! They got to see Him as KING JESUS!! Oh, one day, I too will see Him, my King of Kings!! Peter, James & John got to see Him in all His glory. He face shone like the sun, and his rainment was white as the Light...imagine...even His clothes changed and reavealed His glory! Look at verse 15. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Hear ye Him." Amen & Amen! You see, only six days after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ (the King of Kings!), he got to see Him in all His Kingly Majesty.

My friends, have faith in Jesus. Take Him at His word, put your belief in Him. You've tried everything else. Now surrender and put your faith in Jesus Christ. He will without a doubt reveal Himself to you and you will get to know Him as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And you know something, Peter, James & John never did forget that day!! (John 1:14 and 2 Peter 1:16-18). You will never forget the day that you meet the Lord. I encourage you (and I URGE you) to BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST. He is the ONLY WAY to Heaven. John 14:6. The desitny of your soul lies in "whom say that Jesus is".