Who Do You Say I Am

“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” - Matthew 16:15

On Sunday we looked at that verse and thought about our response. Jesus doesn’t hold back asking us that very direct question. It’s still a good question today.

As you think about your response, I thought it might be helpful to reflect on one person’s answer to that question.

Imagine Jesus getting revved up to go into full time ministry. I see him giving away his carpenter’s tools and kissing family members and knowing he would need to spend a few weeks in solitude in the desert to get his mind set. But before setting out, he made sure to stop by the Jordan River to visit his cousin, John, who was there baptizing. Maybe Jesus was looking for some clarity about that question for himself: Who am I?

And he got an answer. The heavens broke open and a voice spoke: “You are my son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

What strikes me now is if instead of coming up with some theological answer to the question Jesus is asking you (Who do you say I am?), what if you came up with a relational one, like the Father did at Jesus’s baptism? What if Jesus is actually interested in belonging (my) and family (son) and belovedness (whom I love) and being honored (with you I am well pleased) than in some statement of belief?

Can you tap into your heart and see if there’s any sense of belonging, family, belovedness, or honor that you feel towards Jesus - and if so, share that with him now.