When Jesus asked a question, it was not because He didn’t know the answer. You can be sure He was making a point.
Jesus and His disciples were in Caesarea Philippi, away from their own territory. It was a place of idolatry and oppression—a threatening place both politically and spiritually. In this environment, Jesus posed two important questions about the perception of His identity. He wasn’t interested in His popularity rating. He wanted His followers to be sure about the One they were following.
Today our culture is just as hostile and opposed to Jesus as when He first asked the question: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt. 16:13). As in Jesus’ day, people offer a long list of inadequate and incorrect ideas about Jesus, ranging from “just a good teacher” all the way to “divisive” and “intolerant.”
The real question was and continues to be: “Who do you say that I am?” (16:15). Peter boldly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). Jesus said that Peter’s accurate confession was a God-given insight and that he was blessed because of his declaration (v.17).
Join Peter in confessing that Jesus is your Savior. Your life will be bolstered and blessed. — Joe Stowell
O receive Him today who so loved you
That He died on the cross for your sin;
O believe Him and open your heart’s door,
Let the Savior who loves you come in. —Anon.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. —1 John 5:1