Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?

Matthrew 16:13

Speaker: Rev James Tan

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When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  (Matthew 16:13).  This was the time that the region of Caesarea Philippi was very populated. Multitudes thronged around our Lord Jesus to hear the messages that would proceed from His mouth.  Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? This is the question that our Lord Jesus directed to His disciples. It has a direct bearing to similar questions like “What think ye of Christ?” or simply put “Who is Jesus Christ?” Notice that question-asking is necessary and important in the teaching and preaching of biblical truths. Besides, it can be seen from this passage that our Lord Jesus used this same method to bring forth the important heavenly truths relating to Himself. Such is the basis and the rudiment of our salvation — it is so important for everyone to know the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without such personal knowledge of Christ, our salvation may be in question. “And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”  (v. 14).  The disciples did answer the question by the Lord Jesus. But the replies were indirect and merely from a third person’s view and none was daring to commit himself as to who our Lord Jesus truly is.  Therefore, we ought to consider this very pertinent question relating to our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you personally know Him? Do you know who He is? Do you know why He came to this world? Do you know this Christ?  The Lord Jesus reverted the question to His disciples again, “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (v. 15). No longer did our Lord Jesus ask for the thoughts and opinions of others. Instead, He asked what do YOU think about our Lord Jesus Christ? This shows the directness of Christ’s teachings as it manifests the critical need to come to Jesus personally. There is a need for a personal faith and a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus.  “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v. 16).  Verily, this is the right answer. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (v. 17).  Now consider what the people of those days think about the Person of our Lord Jesus. The multitudes, the disciples, the Scribes and the Pharisees… What do you think these people would say and think about Him? Would they have a better opinion and comprehension of our Lord Jesus Christ when He walked upon this earth?  “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” (Matt 12:22-23).  The Jews’ idea of the Messiah during that time was distinctly materialistic and earthly. They thought that the Messiah would bring about political power and material prosperity to the rise of the Kingdom of Israel. However, when they saw Jesus, the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? They would not believe that Jesus IS the Messiah that will save them from their sins and will deliver them from their spiritual darkness into His Marvellous Light. Even though they may marvel and be amazed at the works and miracles that our Lord Jesus has wrought, they simply did not believe in Him. In fact, they doubted His Person, His credentials and His purpose upon this earth.  Many may have heard the preaching of the Lord and have seen Him in person. Yet, many would not believe. How about the present? Certainly, there are many who just would not believe.  Here is something we could understand from biblical truths that faith is very different from sight. Verily, faith is indeed greater than sight. It takes faith to trust and believe in Jesus because faith is something deep within the heart whilst sight is superficial. While sight is something that is shallow, faith lies deep within the soul. Hence, it is truly a blessing to have the trust and faith in our Lord Jesus even without seeing Him.  “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12: 24-27).  Consider now the Pharisees who denied and rejected the Lord and would by any means attempt to find fault in Him. In this case, Jesus was accused of casting out demons with the power from Satan (Beelzebub). The Pharisees’ opinion of Jesus was none but worse than the rest.  Consider once again what people of the present perceive about our Lord Jesus. The deceit and corruption to the knowledge of Christ is very much prevalent today. The Person, the works and the offices of Christ were totally denied by many today.  Jesus is not just ‘a’ son of God. Instead, He is ‘THE’ Son of God who is Eternal, Divine and able to save. Hence, we see the imperative need for us to know the eternality of our Lord Jesus.  “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).  Jesus placed Himself above all men. He is the extraordinary man, He is the unique man who existed in eternity past even way before Abraham. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is the “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14) whose  presence is from eternity past, present to eternity future. He is the very God of the very God.  “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).  It can be seen very distinctly that the Lord Jesus is the expressed image of the Father. He is the manifestation of the Father’s purity, character and divinity. He manifested the Father’s love by His first appearance in this world. He manifested the Father’s holiness in His dealings with sinners. He manifested the Father’s graciousness in forgiving sinners. He manifested the Father’s righteousness in His denunciation of religious hypocrisy. The Father’s judgment was manifested by His death on the Cross.  On the other hand, by considering the manhood of our Lord Jesus, we know that He is the gift of God to be born into this world. Even though He bears human flesh upon His life, yet in Him there was no sin. Verily, it is God’s decree that our Lord Jesus must come to this world, give up His life, die and to rise again to save His redeemed people.  Jesus Christ is the very man of very man and very God of very God. Such is necessary for Him to be the acceptable offering for sacrifice to give His life a ransom for many.  The next point draws us to another important point about the person of our Lord Jesus Christ whom we revere, honour, worship and adore. He is sinless, blameless and unblemished in all His manhood upon the earth. Consider this passage when the Lord spoke to the Pharisees.  “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:46-47).  This is a blatant statement made to condemn the Pharisees in their unbelief. Likewise, without Jesus, we are all sinners before the most High God.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).  The crimson stain of sin has defiled humanity and brought about vexation in life and violence and death upon the world. Yet, our Lord Jesus Christ has died on the Cross not for His sins, but for ours so as to justify us by removing our sins and placed us before God as a justified people.  The people of God need to return to our Lord Jesus. We need to love and to serve Him. This is because our Lord Jesus has taken all our sins on the Cross. He took all our sins upon Himself and died the death of millions of His people. Such is the goodness of God that will lead us to repentance. We need to return to our Lord to joy in Him and to serve Him.  Who is Jesus Christ to you then? Now we know His Person. He is the Son of God, He is both God and Man, and He is sinless and yet took our sins upon Himself. We know that He laid down His life for us sinners.  “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This question is directed to reaffirm and reconfirm our conviction in our Lord Jesus Christ. Once again, this question is crucial for us who are in Christ. The more we know Him, the greater the desire we would have to know Him, to seek, worship and to fellowship with Him. We eventually come to a realization that every goodness and every form of joy we have comes from our Lord Jesus.  In addition, this is the Question of all questions that is pertinent and of great need to clarify. It is essential to note that the way we answer this question determines the state and condition of our lives on earth and our lives thereafter. If one were to deny and to denounce Him, then his eternity will be in deep gloom.  May God speak to our hearts.  May the Lord strengthen us.