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Introducing Jesus: Matthew 16:13-17

What did people say about Jesus?

Our primary reference for today is Matthew 16 verses 13 to 17. I am using the New King James Version but you may use any good translation.

In the passage, Jesus asked His disciples, “What do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (verse 13). What did people say about Jesus? The answers that He got were somewhat inconsistent. The people identified Him to different people from the history of Israel. His disciples told Him that some people thought that He was John the Baptist. Some identified Him as Elijah. While others said that He was Jeremiah or one of the prophets of old.

Yet, on closer look, we do find a few consistencies in the answers. We notice that all the prophets mentioned were dead long before the time of Jesus. Even John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus, had already been beheaded as recorded in chapter fourteen of the Gospel of Matthew. The people thought that Jesus had come back from the dead. A strange thought to have!

Another point of consistency is that the people thought that Jesus was one of the prophets of God come back to deliver a message from God. They thought that He was a messenger of God.

The other point that is consistent in the answers was that the people, perhaps, wanted someone like the prophets to come and inspire Israel’s restoration to its former glory or free them from Roman occupation or to fulfil any of the religious and national aspirations that the Jews of that century had.

What did Peter say about Jesus?

After hearing what the people had to say about Him, Jesus then turned the question to the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (verse 15).

We see a quick response by Simon Peter in the text. What was Peter’s answer? He ‘answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”’ (verse 16)

Jesus applauded Peter’s answer by saying ‘to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”’ (verse 17)

What do we notice in this exchange?

Jesus agreed to Peter’s answer, He did not deny anything.
The answer that Peter gave cannot be of human origin. No human being could have revealed this answer to Peter.
The answer was of Divine origin. God the Father revealed this to Peter. Jesus Himself attested to this.
Peter was close to Jesus and as he thought about Jesus God revealed to him about Jesus. Perhaps, there is something wonderful about becoming closer to Jesus!
This answer also gives us a possible insight into Peter’s thoughts and feelings. Peter seemed to not be interested in how humans would deal with the important religious and national issues of his day. But Peter was instead interested in how the living God would solve those issues for Himself and for the people through Jesus the Christ, His Son.

What did Jesus say about Himself?

Now we want to see what Jesus said about Himself. In the original question in verse thirteen, we see Jesus referring to Himself as the Son of Man. That is one of the titles used for the Christ (or the Messiah). So we see that He had already clued in the answer to the question He asked the disciples. Jesus also agreed and applauded Peter’s answer and did not deny that He was the Christ and the Son of the living God. These titles, in simple and in general terms, have similar meanings. These words mean someone who is chosen, appointed and sent by God to perform His will. These titles fit Jesus perfectly because God chose, appointed and sent Jesus to do His will.

Jesus also did not reject the notion found in the people’s responses either. The people thought that He was a messenger of God. Indeed, God sent Jesus to deliver a message to the world.

But the simple and general meanings of these titles given to Jesus do not fully convey who He really is. He was different from other messengers, chosen ones, appointed ones and sent ones that came before Him. He was different from those who came after His time. Other men may have used these titles but these titles have a unique fulfilment in and through Jesus. He is the culmination and the epitome of all Messianic titles found in the whole Bible. He is the Messiah! He is the Christ, the Son of the living God!

Why was Jesus different and unique from the others before and after Him? To answer Let us have a quick survey on this from just the Gospel of Matthew.

He is unique because of His history. In Matthew 11 verse 27 we read that Jesus said that He knew God the Father. None of the prophets had this kind of intimate knowledge of the Father and none claimed it; only Jesus did!

He is unique because of His birth. In Matthew 1 verses 18-25 we read of His virgin birth. No prophet before or since had such a unique birth.

He is unique because of His life and teachings. In Matthew 7 verse 29, Matthew 21 verse 24 and 27 we read of His authority in performing miracles and giving His teachings. The people who experienced the miracles knew the difference. The people who heard him teach understood the difference.

He is unique because no one can forgive sins. In Matthew 9 verse 6 we read that He forgave sins. No one but God forgives sins. Either Jesus was speaking the truth or He was a complete lunatic. The rest of the Bible confirms the former.

He is unique because of His death. In Matthew 1 verse 21 and 26 verse 28 we read that He died for the sins of the world. No one had done something like this for the whole world, including you and me.

He is unique because of His resurrection. In Matthew 28 we read of His resurrection from the dead. This is one pivotal event in Christian history and faith that Paul, later on, said that if Jesus did not rise from the dead then our Christian faith would be a lie. But He did rise from the dead and that is why our faith is not vain. (See First Corinthians 15 verse 14)

He is unique because He lives. In Matthew 28 verse 20 we read of His commitment that He will be with His disciples to the very end. He lives to guide, lead, and intercede for those who follow Him.

All these tell us that Jesus is unique. But more than that they show to us that He is God come in the form of human flesh to save humans from their sins. To deal with problems that humans face in His divine way; not to deal with them according to human desires, plans or energy.

There is an important point I want to make here before we go on any further. I urge you to do your own survey of the Bible to find out the truth for yourself. Whether Jesus is unique or not? You may also read some more about the titles used for Jesus and how they are significant in some of the Bible dictionaries, Bible commentaries and articles that you have access to.

What do people today say about Jesus?

We now move to this present time. What do people in today’s age say about Jesus? If we take a survey of the world we would get a mixed bag of answers. Some would still call Him a prophet. Some would call Him an ideal person whose example we should follow. Some would call Him a founder of a religion. Some would praise Him as a good and great moral teacher. Some would claim Him as just an object of academic study. Some would call Him and His followers a bunch of liars. Some would even doubt Him ever existing. Yet, some would call Him a God among other gods. But Christians would say that He is the only God.

People of this time and age have many ideas about Jesus just like the people of His time. Some ideas are idealistic. Some are misleading and untrue. Only one is true and that is the one that is according to the Bible, that is, Jesus is the Saviour of the world. He came to deal with human problems, not the way humans would deal with them but the way God would solve them.

What do you say about Jesus?

The question is now directed towards you. What do you say about Jesus? Is your answer according to the Bible or is it in need of correction? Is it in need of an update from the Bible? Were you surprised by what the Gospel of Matthew had to say about Jesus through the quick survey earlier? Or had you known all along who Jesus was?

Do not be deceived by false and misleading portraits of Jesus found elsewhere. It would be such a big loss and shame for anyone who has ready access to accurate information about anything but chooses to believe in false reports. Whatever your answer is I hope you compare it to what the Bible says about Jesus. The Bible accurately shows who Jesus is. Many Christian books, articles and presentations that are Bible-based will accurately portray Jesus. Make sure you compare any writing, talk or idea about Jesus to what is found in the Bible. Even my presentation here is open to such questionings.

Do all say the same?

Do all say the same thing about Jesus? No, they do not. Only the Bible says what is correct and true about Jesus. And only those who read and study the Bible will have the right answers about Jesus.

But then again an intellectual knowledge of Jesus is not the end of the matter. One has to have a spiritual and intimate knowledge of Jesus to truly know Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is the one who came to save you and me from our sins. To solve our life problems and questions satisfactorily because He is God. Human agencies to solve these problems and questions will never be satisfactory.

Find out more about Jesus.

I request you to read by yourself the four Gospels found in the New Testament of the Bible. To read the rest of the New Testament and study the rest of the Bible to have a better knowledge of Jesus. But remember to seek a spiritual and intimate knowledge along with the intellectual knowledge of Jesus from these readings and studies. Consult mature Christians for any answers you seek.

You may use these presentations as a base for your further studies by using the references provided here. Hope you have been blessed by this brief introduction to Jesus. God bless you!

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S01E01 Introducing Jesus: Matthew 16:13-17