Just
for fun, let's go on a journey to find out who Jesus is.
In
the book of Matthew 16 vs.13-17 Jesus is speaking to his disciples:
13
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others,
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed
to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
Notice
what Peter says, and Jesus' reply to him. But what about the other answers?
What else is revealed about who Jesus is? Let's move forward to Matthew 17
vs.1-13:
17
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There
he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became as white as the light. 3 Just then there
appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will
put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the
cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen
to him!”
6
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said.
“Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw
no one except Jesus.
9
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell
anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
11
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they
did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the
same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking
to them about John the Baptist.
Breaking
it down, the transfiguration shows in v.3 Just then there appeared before them
Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus, so obviously Jesus isn't
Elijah.
In
v.5 Our Father in Heaven says “This is my Son, whom I love; with
him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” and in v.8 When
they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Our
Father confirms Peter's answer in Matt.16:16 “You are the Messiah, the
Son of the living God.” But just in case they didn't hear Him right, He
also shows them by the fact that Moses and Elijah disappeared and only
Jesus was left. v.8 When
they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
It
sounds like Our Father is saying here that Jesus is greater than Moses
and Elijah, since He was the only one left, and Our Father said "Listen
to him!”
In
v.12 Jesus states But I
tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him and
in v.13 Then the disciples
understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist So Jesus is obviously not John the
Baptist or Elijah, or Moses for that matter. Jesus is greater than these, but
what about one of the prophets like Jeremiah? Is Jesus a prophet? Let's see if
we can find any more answers...
In
Hebrews 1:1-4 it states:
1
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many
times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days
he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom also he made the universe. 3 The
Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the
name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Even
the heading of this chapter says a lot -- "God’s Final Word: His Son"
vs.1-2
states In the past God spoke to our ancestors
through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his
Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the
universe
That
doesn't sound like he's Jeremiah, does it? Jeremiah isn't the one through
whom also he made the universe. Nor did he make the universe
through any other prophet.
God's
Final Word: His Son
-- It sounds like "Jesus Is what God has to say". Maybe we
should only listen to Him, you think? What else can we find out about who Jesus
is?
In
Colossians 1:15-20 we learn more:
15
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all
creation. 16 For in him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together. 18 And he is the head of the
body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,
so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood,
shed on the cross.
Sounds
very similar to Hebrews 1:1-4 with a more detailed description.
v.17 He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together This
reminds me of the song "He's got the whole world in His hands" We're still talking about Jesus here. Sounds
like He's way more than a prophet... He's King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And
He reigns now, not just someday. We need new eyes to see this, not
everybody can see this yet.
and
in the book of Revelation 1:17-18 John writes after seeing Him in all
his glory:
17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right
hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am
alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Yes, our Lord is
risen, alive forever and ever! Just like when He asked his disciples
almost 2000 years ago, He is still asking each of us today “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” “But
what about you?” “Who do you say I am?”
John
17:3 Now
this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent.
Lisa Owens
Grace Communion at Wheeling, Wv.-Lansing, OH.
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