When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13-16 (NLT)
“Who do you say I am?” This is a question we must all answer at some point. Notice Jesus asked them what everyone else thought and then he made it personal. Because it is personal. Who you know Jesus to be is the most important thing you will ever decide.
Some would answer “He’s my Savior.” This is true.
Some would answer “He’s the Son of God.” This is also true.
Some will throw out fancy titles like “He’s the Sacrificial Lamb. He’s the Bright and Morning Star.” All of these are true.
But I don’t think that Jesus wants to know what we can verbalize. We can all talk a good game. I think He wants to know what’s in our hearts. I think He wants to know who we, deep down where no one can see, think about Him.
I was having a conversation with someone a little while ago that I can’t get out of my head. I was talking about something and I said “The focus has to be Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” And the person said “What about love?” I’ll be honest, this question shocked me. How can you have Jesus and not have love? Who was Jesus to this person?
I keep thinking about that conversation. You see, I think we give platitudes to Jesus. I think we try to say all the right things but I don’t think He’s real enough to us. Who exactly do we think He is? It’s almost like we see him as a figurehead that has no real impact or control on our lives. That’s not what He wants.
Jesus wants to be our Everything. What does that look like? There is nothing that He doesn’t control; there is nothing in our lives that are not His; there is absolutely nothing we would not give up for Him or offer Him. We are so filled with love for Him that it drives and motivates everything we do.
So let me ask you. Who do you say He is? If He is not your Everything, you are missing out on the greatest joy you’ve ever experienced. Spend some time really getting to know Him - personally. It will change the way you see…well….Everything.