“Now it happened that as He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him. And He asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’ And He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’”
- Luke 9:18-20
By this point in time, Jesus has become famous across the region. Attracting crowds from all over, taking all the land on mountainsides in order to teach and to heal. Towns become so full of people that it is difficult to navigate the streets. With this sizable fame though comes even more who question who this Jesus guy is.
The amazing thing is, Jesus, is showing the Kingdom, not by keeping power to only Himself, but by gracing His disciples with the power to heal, cast out demons, and preach the good news of the kingdom. At the start of the chapter, He sends them out to do all that! From town to town across the region of Galilee, people are healed, and people are preached to. Word of all that is happening though makes its way to the leaders of the land. Herod Antipas gets reports of the disciples and this Jesus guy. News about a new kingdom, healings, and acts of authority, crowds amassing to see this guy… Herod may wonder if this is some revolutionary. He may wonder what kind of threat Jesus poses to his authority.
So Herod also questions who is this Jesus. The reports from the crowds are mixed. Perhaps they heard that Jesus is being proclaimed the Messiah but don’t believe that just yet. Instead, they go to thoughts and rumors of Jesus being John the Baptist, back from the dead, no doubt striking fear into Herod who had John beheaded. Or Jesus might be Elijah, Elijah’s spirit was caught up in a divine whirlwind, taken to heaven alive, and is said to have to come back at some point. Or perhaps Jesus is some other prophet raised from the dead. At the core, even from these rumors though, an essential truth is being shared, the resurrection is a necessary step for the Messiah.
After this, when the disciples preaching/healing tour has ended, a crowd of 5,000, and most likely more, has arrived to meet Jesus. Amongst the 5,000+ are likely many who thought Jesus was John the Baptist, or even Elijah. Perhaps some were Zealots, ready to do a revolution against Rome or Herod. Whatever their ideas were, Jesus instead solely teaches on the Kingdom of God, casting his vision for it. Then after a long time, they are hungry, and the disciples are tired, but rather than sending anyone in this huge crowd away, Jesus exemplifies His Kingdom teachings by feeding every single one of them.
Now finally time has come, the crowds had dispersed, and Jesus and the disciples could go off alone, retreat together, and pray. This is where our selected verses come in. Jesus turns to them, knowing that the crowds see Him as many different things, Herod and other leaders see Jesus as a threat, but Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
This is what we will dwell on today…
Who do you say that I am?
Jesus is secure in who He is. He doesn’t need to defend His identity as the Messiah, as God’s chosen one. The Father made that clear at Jesus’ baptism. Jesus made it clear at His temptations. The Holy Spirit continually proves it. Jesus’ identity is not what His concern is today.
Nor is Jesus all that concerned with what the world/crowds have to say. Yes, Jesus asks about what they say of Him. The world though will always be in contrast to Jesus. Jesus’ main concern is how His followers see and understand Him.
Peter in this instance got it! “The Christ of God!” Other versions say the Messiah, the Chosen One, and the Savior! You are God, sent by God, to save and redeem, to fulfill every prophecy and promise. Now, we’ll see where they did not understand in full, Peter sliced off the ear of a temple servant, showing Peter’s zealot-like tendencies. Yet, here, they got who Jesus is and listened to Him as He shared about His coming death, the need to take up the cross and follow Him, the reality that many will reject Him, and the His journey toward Jerusalem.
One of Jesus’ top concerns for you today is who you say that He is. Take time now, pause, and think about that, “Who do you say that He is?”
What words came to your mind? What stories were you reminded of? What is a little bit of treasure to store in your heart for today?
Our testimony should answer this question. Yes, our testimonies usually account for our coming to Jesus moment, or another divine intervention or provision story. In all those stories though we are proclaiming something to be true about Jesus. Is He Lord and Savior? Is He the Messiah? Is His grace abounding? Is He King? Is He Judge? Is He Righteous?
What about your life seeks to testify to this question? How do you answer it at work, or at home? Who do you say He is?
Final Blessing:
Truly, if you haven’t already, take some time and journal about that question today. Reflect and meditate on it, for it is perhaps one of the most important questions you will ever answer. Who do you say that He is?
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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