Who is Jesus to you?

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" The disciples had zero understanding at the time of the ramifications of their answer. They had no clue at the time that the answer they were about to give determined their eternal destiny! 

You might be a bit like the disciples who were following Jesus at that time, where you know that Jesus is important, but you, like them, are not quite sure just how important He was and is to your life. 

When reading through the gospels we discover that none of the disciples actually had a full understanding of who Jesus truly was until after He resurrected from the dead. In fact, prior to the resurrection they were cowards (John 20:19), but after the resurrection they became fearless for Jesus (Acts 4:13). 

It was shortly after Easter Sunday, that Peter with his life on the line, would boldly proclaim to the religious leaders of his day, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Peter came to a full understanding of who Jesus was, and was convinced that Jesus was the ONLY WAY to heaven. Once Peter had a full understanding of who Jesus was, he was willing to give his very life for Christ!

But back when Jesus was still walking among the disciples, when He asked them one of the most important questions that has ever been asked throughout the history of the world, they did not really get it at that point. In fact let's take a look at that conversation that Jesus had with His disciples in Mark 8:27-29. 

The Bible tells us, "Now Jesus and His disciples when out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." 

Here we read that Jesus has a conversation with His disciples asking them who people thought that He was. Up to this point in Mark’s gospel, people have been asking, “Who is this?” (Mark 4:41). And now Jesus asks His disciples what the general consensus of the people is. Who do they say that He is? 

The disciples first tell Him of the erroneous views and reports about who people say that Jesus is, by saying that some believe He is John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others one of the prophets. And then in Mark 8:29 Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"

This conversation between Jesus and His disciples has enormous importance not only to Peter and the rest of the gang, but to every individual who has ever stepped foot on this earth. The answer each person gives to this question about Jesus determines the course of the rest of their earthly life as well as when they enter into eternity.

As I already mentioned, the Bible tells us in Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” If we don't get this right, and place our trust in who Jesus really is, Lord and Savior, we are going to deeply regret it with every fiber of our being for all eternally.

And that is why it is so crucial that a person answers this question of who Jesus is correctly. And in (v.29) even though Peter doesn't understand completely the fullness of his answer, he says to Jesus, “You are the Christ.” In fact, in Matthew’s gospel, it says that Peter answered,“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” (Matthew 16:16). 

This is crucial for a person to not only come to believe, but to then hand their lives over to Him from that moment on. In fact, upon making this statement of fact about who Jesus is, He then calls them to put their beliefs into action by giving their lives to Him by living for Him and serving Him (Mark 8:34-38). 

Jesus expects the same from us. If we understand "who He is", we must put our beliefs into action and follow Him with our whole hearts. 

To understand what it means to follow Jesus, please watch the following sermon I preached on this passage of Scripture from Mark 8, titled, Living life at the Cross.


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