Chapter 12
How Important is it that We Believe Jesus is God?
Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said 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. (Matt. 16:13-17)
I think Jesus was testing His disciples when He asked them the questions, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am ?" and "But who do you say that I am?" He wanted them to respond and focus specifically as to who He really was. Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Son of God was the answer that Jesus was looking for. Jesus" point was this: Do you think that I am just a prophet or teacher come from God or do you think that I am the Son of God?
As I have previously mentioned, the Jews sought to kill Jesus because when He said He was the Son of God they understood correctly that He was making Himself out to be equal with God. The ultimate reason why Jesus was crucified by the Jews was because of His claim to be the Son of God.
I now have a question for you. Who do you think that Jesus was or is? Do you think He was just a great prophet or teacher or do you think that He is very God? One day you must stand before Jesus Christ at the judgment and give <