The Inescapable Question About Christ.
Do you have questions about Christ? Enjoy this three part series about Christ from Dennis Purcell that explores a variety of gospel passages.
The Question is Posed
Who is Jesus? The gospels provide an answer to this inescapable question about Christ. The three passages of scripture that the question is posed is found in:
- Matthew 16:13-16 – Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?
- Matthew 22:41-46 – What do you think about the Christ?
- Matthew 27:19-23 – What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?
There are many important questions confronting people today. Many recent headlines are questions speculating about what lies ahead, questions about the economy, the war in Ukraine for example.
Scores of questions, important, legitimate questions but there is one great, important, meaningful, universal question facing every man, woman and child in the world and it is an inescapable question concerning the person of Christ.
Christ in Matthew
The first passage of scripture to consider is found in Matthew 16:13-16
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “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.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16
This portion of scripture marks a turning point in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Here He is preparing His disciples for what is to come.
Preparing for the Cross
Up to this time He had been leading them into an understanding of His person – having accomplished this He now sets His face towards Jerusalem and the cross.
The Lord Jesus brought His disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi before His final journey to Jerusalem – they had been together for three years, crowds followed them everywhere.
Jesus took them to this remote, northeastern part of Israel for some rest and relaxation, some quiet, and private time to prepare His disciples for what was to come.
Caesarea Philippi
Caesarea Philippi is located at the foot of Mount Hermon, 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, right at the headwaters and springs that mark the beginning of the Jordan River. It was well watered, beautiful and lush place with trees, shrubs and flowers with striking red cliffs as a backdrop.
Herod built a marble temple there to honour Augustus Caesar. The city fell to his son Phillip who expanded the temple to honour Tiberius.
In Old Testament times it was once a center for Baal worship.
Later the Greeks built various pagan temples and shrines (many of the ruins present today), the most notable shrine being one dedicated to the Greek god Pan who was half man, half goat, and considered the god of nature, located in front of a large cave opening leading to a deep pit, known as the Gate of Hades or entrance to the underworld.
Here, a plethora of beliefs were represented – beliefs in anything and everything.
This was the backdrop for the conversation that Jesus starts with His disciples that opens with the question,
Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?
Matt 16:14
Jesus Asked Questions
The Lord Jesus asked a lot of questions. It was a favourite teaching tool of His. Questions demand engagement, promotes thinking, reflection and draws out a considered response.
The Jewish response saw Jesus as a prophet. 400 hundred years of silence since last prophet Malachi wrote the last book of the Old Testament bearing his name.
Some said He was John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod Antipas the Tetrarch, some believed Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
Some said He was Elijah, the one who was to come before the Messiah (as told in the last 2 verses of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5-6)).
Others said He was Jeremiah. Some of the intertestamental writings (2 Maccabees) had Jeremiah hiding the Ark of the Covenant and was to return and reveal the Ark before the coming of the Messiah. Some saw Jesus as that forerunner to the Messiah but not the Messiah Himself.
Others said He was one of the other prophets – one among many but not the Prophet. Impressed by His works and words yet would not acknowledge Him as to what He claimed to be.
Who is Jesus?
The world today offers many responses to the same question. Who does the world say Jesus is? It’s important to consider as many cling to what polls and surveys report, major religions, culture, public opinion, academia, the government. Truth has little bearing on what the world says or does. For example, from world religions:
- Buddhism says Jesus is a wise and enlightened man who taught similarly to Buddha.
- Hinduism says He a wise man who was an incarnation of God similar to Krishna.
- Jehovah’s Witness say He’s God’s first creation, the archangel Michael who became a man.
- Mormonism say He is one of the spirit beings all humans used to be and the spirit brother of Lucifer.
- Islam says He’s a prophet, albeit minor one, a miracle worker but not the Son of God, nor crucified or risen from the dead.
- Today many mainline denominations in Christendom are questioning the basic tenets of Christology.
Little is Known or Understood About Jesus
Today, many who know of Jesus, but numerous polls/surveys reveal little is known or understood of who Jesus really is. Many agree He was a wise man, a holy man, a great teacher, a paragon of virtue and morality but nothing beyond that.
Few object when Jesus is spoken of in these terms but to speak of Him as the Saviour, as God, as the only way to heaven then the multitudes line up to howl their disapproval. If they really read and understood the things that Jesus said and did, they would have to say HE was either a lunatic and a fraud or He is exactly who He claimed to be. Most have never given this sufficient attention.
Who Do You Say That I Am?
So, Christ rephrases the question to His disciples, “But who do you say that I Am?” It’s a very deep and probing question, a very personal question, a question that required and demanded commitment on their part. Jesus asked them who He was to them, personally.
Peter comes forward and makes this historic and glorious confession –
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matt 16:16
Peter is declaring boldly that Jesus is Israel’s Messiah and God’s Son.
The term “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah”, meaning “Anointed One from God.”
He was the Son of the living God; a remarkable statement considering they were surrounded by so many dead gods at Caesarea Philippi. Peter is equating Jesus with God. In Jewish culture this was a phrase equating Jesus with God.
Other Confessions About Christ
There are other confessions of Christ in the scriptures:
Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Nathanael – John 1:49
Peter’s 2nd confession in
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
John 6:68-69
Martha, sister of Mary is quoted by John,
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:27
Thomas in John 20:28
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28
The Roman centurion in Matthew 27:54
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54
The unclean spirits mentioned in Mark 3:11,
And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
Mark 3:11
Almighty God, the Father speaks in Matthew 3:17,
And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
..and again in Matthew 17:5
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Matthew 17:5
A Gift From God
Notice what Jesus says after the confession of Peter in Matt 16:17
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:17
This is not of human reasoning, intellect or effort. It was a gift of God, a revelation of God.
The following verses confirm this. No-one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3)
Christ makes clear He draws all people to Himself (John 6:44)
We must accept His drawing and dare not refuse it because it is not a perpetual drawing. Scripture is clear that delay or repeated refusal will result in the drawing ceasing, the heart hardening and no inclination to come.
A Question for the Ages
What about you? The question rings down through the ages and echoes our ears, tugs at our heart, agitates our soul, challenges our thinking and demands a response. The question stands today, a personal question that touches the very depths of our being and our existence and determines our eternal destiny. Who is Jesus to you? Not the opinions of the world. Jesus asks you, “Who do you say that I am?”
Who do you think about Christ? Who do you think He is? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Dennis Purcell
Dennis Purcell is a long serving elder at Bethel Chapel in Waterloo, Ontario. Dennis ministers regularly at numerous assemblies and has served, or is serving, on boards and committees of various Christian ministries.
Dennis recently retired from his secular career as a Chief Building Official in the municipal government sector, enabling a wider sphere of itinerant ministry.
Dennis resides with his wife, Yvonne, in Cambridge, Ontario. They have one adult daughter and one married son.
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