It is a simple question Jesus Christ asks all of us which demands an honest answer. People often will give a long and complicated response, but that is usually because they do not want to give a straight forward answer. It’s a technique we all use when we find ourselves confronted with something we don’t really want to meet head on. But Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?” will be answered by all of us simply and directly at some point in our lives. Sooner or later, we will give our response.
Some 2000 years ago a man named Peter answered the question with the words, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The One who asked the question told Peter he was spot on. But not everyone at that time responded the way Peter did, nor do they today.
The reason the question is so challenging is because of the claims Jesus made. He said in no uncertain terms that he is God and that he alone opens eternal life to all members of the human race – past, present and future. Those claims are either true or they are false. As one person put it, based on the claims Jesus made about himself, we can answer his question “Who do you say I am?” in one of only three ways:
1. Jesus was sincerely deluded into thinking he was God – He was a lunatic.
2. Jesus purposely deceived people into thinking he was God – He was a liar.
3. Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be – He is Lord!
Jesus is the single most influential personality in all of history. It is understandable why people feel uncomfortable choosing one of the first two options. So, what is holding them back from embracing the third option? That is an excellent question which needs to be confronted for certainly Jesus left us with enough evidence that he is God.
If you are having difficulty answering the most important question you’ll ever be faced with, join us this weekend for our Sunday worship service. You know in your heart Jesus wasn’t a lunatic or a liar, what then is holding you back from receiving him as Lord?
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am