A powerful religious leader (like John the Baptist)
A miracle worker (like Elijah)
A dynamic teacher (like Jeremiah)
A great prophet (like other prophets)
Today, for many people in our nation, Jesus is a rather distant figure. Many people label Jesus as a religious leader, perhaps like Buddha, Moses and Mohammed. Others have heard that Jesus did some miracles, but believe that those miracles are probably just old mythological stories. Some believe that He must have been a great teacher of right and wrong, because people still follow His words today. Still others believe that He must have been some sort of mystical prophet, with a close connection to God
After Jesus heard from His disciples what others were saying about Him, He turned to His disciples and asked, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?” There was an awkward silence for a few moments before a disciple named Peter spoke up. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Peter answered. Jesus then called Peter blessed, because Peter could not have figured this out by himself, but God had to have revealed this to him. Let’s talk about what Peter said about Jesus.
“You are the Christ:” The word “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name as we would think in our culture. The word “Christ” is His title or His office. “Christ” is a Greek word that means: “The Anointed One”. Or “Christ” can be translated into Hebrew as “The Messiah”. The Messiah, The Christ, or The Anointed One was a promised figure in the Old Testament who would be sent by God to rescue His people from their enemies. What kind of rescue would it be? Many thought The Messiah would rescue the Jewish people from the foreign Roman oppressors, who held the Jewish people in cruel subjection. But careful readings of the promises reveal that the Messiah would rescue His people from an enemy that was far worse than the Romans. The Messiah would deliver from the enemy of sin and death, an enemy we all have. What comfort a Christian has knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom his sins are forgiven. What peace, knowing that after death, Jesus gives eternal life!
“The Son of the living God:” That Jesus was human was clear to all – He had flesh and bones, breathed and ate, got tired, laughed, slept and wept. But Peter saw His miracles, heard His teaching, witnessed His inexhaustible compassion. He knew that Jesus was more than a human being. God had revealed to Peter that Jesus was God’s Son. Jesus was just like God in His power, in His authority, in His teaching, and in His love. Jesus is unique as the Son of God and the son of Mary. He is fully human, yet fully God. This fact, that Jesus is fully God and fully man is vital to His saving work. It is also a great comfort for Christians to know that God understands what it is like to walk in human shoes!
Jesus came to save sinners. Here are some words from Jesus Himself which describe what he was sent to do:
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
"It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
(Luke 5:31,32)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:39)
“…I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”
(John 10:10)
“…for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
(John 12:47)
Jesus is The Messiah, God’s Son, who came into the world to save sinful people like me and you. He died to save us from sin. He rose to save us from death. If you confess that you are a sinner, and sincerely trust that Jesus is your Savior, you receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, you are blessed. You are blessed because God has revealed this truth to you. Can it be that simple? The rescue is often difficult for the rescuer, but the rescue is often simple for the one being rescued. So it is as Jesus rescues us!!!
Prayer: Jesus, I want to know who you are and what you have done to rescue me. I want to know you. Help me to be fair and honest in my search. Lead me to the truth. Amen.
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