Who Do People Say That I Am?

Jesus of Nazareth was a very enigmatic figure. He did not have a kingly appearance, yet He spoke of the glories of His kingdom. He was a carpenter’s son, yet possessed profound wisdom that overshadowed His contemporaries. He lived like a common man, yet possessed immense power to defy natural laws and heal diseases. As a result, it was hard for people to ascertain His true identity. Some thought He was a prophet, whereas some considered Him to be a socio-political reformer. Even today, many think that Jesus was just a great teacher-philosopher.

Having spent more than three years with Jesus, surely His close disciples would have understood His life’s purpose. They did, but they also did not! Here is an incident from the Bible that reveals how clueless the early disciples were regarding Jesus’ mission:

Mark 8:27-33 – Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” And He warned them to tell no one about Him. And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Based on the promises in the Old Testament, all Jews believed that God would send a Deliverer to rescue His people from their bondage. So did Peter and the rest of the 11 disciples. But they were clueless as to how God would accomplish that rescue. Surely, for the Deliverer to fulfil the task, He must remain alive and powerful. But Jesus, God’s chosen Deliverer, was going to be delivered into enemy hands to die. The very people for whom He was sent would reject Him and would refuse to receive Him as their King. Peter could not accept that. How can the Messiah suffer grief and ridicule? How can the Messiah’s death deliver His people? It can, only if His people understand what kind of deliverance He was offering.

It was only after the resurrection of Jesus that Peter and the rest of the disciples understood God’s master plan. This is what Peter said on a later occasion:

Acts 10:38-43 – You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. … They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible … And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus makes perfect sense only when we realize that through Jesus, God delivers us from our sins. The One who is appointed to judge the world is the One who dies on their behalf, so that the penalty for our sin is paid in full!