Who is Jesus to You?
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV).
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks His disciples a deeply personal question: “Who do you say that I am?” This question invites us to reflect on who Jesus truly is in our own hearts. It’s a question that requires personal revelation, not just knowledge of what others say about Him. The way we answer this question shapes the foundation of our faith and how we live our lives.
Peter’s response to Jesus is profound: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" — Matthew 16:16 (ESV). His declaration goes beyond mere recognition of Jesus as a great teacher or prophet. It’s a recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and His mission to redeem humanity. This revelation didn’t come from human wisdom but from God Himself. In the same way, our understanding of Jesus must be rooted in personal revelation—an intimate encounter with the living Christ. It’s one thing to hear about Jesus from others, but it’s something entirely different to know Him personally, as Saul experienced in Acts 9:4-5.
When Saul, who would later become Paul, encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he heard the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" — Acts 9:4-5 (ESV). This direct encounter with Jesus changed Saul’s life forever. He no longer knew Jesus as a distant figure but as the living, active Savior who speaks directly to His people.
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must recognize that He is not a static, historical figure, but a living, active presence in our lives. In 1 Peter 2:5, Peter describes believers as “living stones,” being built into a spiritual house. This imagery highlights that our relationship with Jesus is dynamic—it’s ongoing and continually growing. Just as a building is constructed brick by brick, our relationship with Christ is built day by day as we grow in understanding and obedience. This process of growth comes from a personal, daily encounter with Him, allowing His Spirit to reveal more of who He is to us.
Our faith is not meant to be based solely on tradition or what others tell us about Jesus. In Matthew 16:17, Jesus tells Peter that his understanding of who Jesus is did not come from flesh and blood, but from God the Father. This underscores the importance of personal revelation. It’s not enough to rely on second hand knowledge of Christ. If our understanding of Jesus is based only on what we’ve been taught, it will not be strong enough to sustain us through the challenges of life. But when we have personally encountered Jesus and allowed Him to reveal Himself to us, we have a foundation that is unshakable.
The truth about Jesus is not something we merely memorize; it’s something we live. Our lives are transformed when we know Him personally and understand who He truly is. This understanding doesn’t just change what we believe—it changes how we live. It changes our priorities, our values, and the way we respond to the world around us.
Who is Jesus to you? Is He someone you know from what others have said, or is He the living Savior you’ve encountered in your own life? Are you allowing Him to reveal more of Himself to you each day, building a deeper, more personal relationship with Him? The answer to these questions will shape your walk of faith and empower you to live out the calling He has placed on your life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You more deeply. Open my eyes to see You as You truly are—the risen Savior, the Son of the living God. Help me to not just know about You, but to experience You personally in my life. Reveal Yourself to me in new and powerful ways each day, and may my faith be built on a deep, personal encounter with You. Thank You for being the living Savior who desires a relationship with me. In Your name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Matthew 16:15-16, Acts 9:5, 1 Peter 2:5
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV).
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks His disciples a deeply personal question: “Who do you say that I am?” This question invites us to reflect on who Jesus truly is in our own hearts. It’s a question that requires personal revelation, not just knowledge of what others say about Him. The way we answer this question shapes the foundation of our faith and how we live our lives.
Peter’s response to Jesus is profound: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" — Matthew 16:16 (ESV). His declaration goes beyond mere recognition of Jesus as a great teacher or prophet. It’s a recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and His mission to redeem humanity. This revelation didn’t come from human wisdom but from God Himself. In the same way, our understanding of Jesus must be rooted in personal revelation—an intimate encounter with the living Christ. It’s one thing to hear about Jesus from others, but it’s something entirely different to know Him personally, as Saul experienced in Acts 9:4-5.
When Saul, who would later become Paul, encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he heard the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" — Acts 9:4-5 (ESV). This direct encounter with Jesus changed Saul’s life forever. He no longer knew Jesus as a distant figure but as the living, active Savior who speaks directly to His people.
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must recognize that He is not a static, historical figure, but a living, active presence in our lives. In 1 Peter 2:5, Peter describes believers as “living stones,” being built into a spiritual house. This imagery highlights that our relationship with Jesus is dynamic—it’s ongoing and continually growing. Just as a building is constructed brick by brick, our relationship with Christ is built day by day as we grow in understanding and obedience. This process of growth comes from a personal, daily encounter with Him, allowing His Spirit to reveal more of who He is to us.
Our faith is not meant to be based solely on tradition or what others tell us about Jesus. In Matthew 16:17, Jesus tells Peter that his understanding of who Jesus is did not come from flesh and blood, but from God the Father. This underscores the importance of personal revelation. It’s not enough to rely on second hand knowledge of Christ. If our understanding of Jesus is based only on what we’ve been taught, it will not be strong enough to sustain us through the challenges of life. But when we have personally encountered Jesus and allowed Him to reveal Himself to us, we have a foundation that is unshakable.
The truth about Jesus is not something we merely memorize; it’s something we live. Our lives are transformed when we know Him personally and understand who He truly is. This understanding doesn’t just change what we believe—it changes how we live. It changes our priorities, our values, and the way we respond to the world around us.
Who is Jesus to you? Is He someone you know from what others have said, or is He the living Savior you’ve encountered in your own life? Are you allowing Him to reveal more of Himself to you each day, building a deeper, more personal relationship with Him? The answer to these questions will shape your walk of faith and empower you to live out the calling He has placed on your life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You more deeply. Open my eyes to see You as You truly are—the risen Savior, the Son of the living God. Help me to not just know about You, but to experience You personally in my life. Reveal Yourself to me in new and powerful ways each day, and may my faith be built on a deep, personal encounter with You. Thank You for being the living Savior who desires a relationship with me. In Your name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Matthew 16:15-16, Acts 9:5, 1 Peter 2:5
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