Shortly after Jesus healed “great multitudes” and fed 4,000 people from seven loaves and a few fish, 1 He asked His disciples what people were saying about Him. They reported that some believed He was John the Baptist, others that He was Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets of old come back from the dead. These answers indicated that most people held Jesus in high regard and thought of Him as a great prophet, but they were still way short of the mark!
Jesus then asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” We can imagine the scene—the disciples lowering their heads or glancing at one another, unsure of what to answer. Then Simon Peter, apparently the most outspoken of the apostles, plucked up his courage and correctly identified Jesus’ true identity and purpose: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 2
Throughout the Bible, Jesus is portrayed as many things—amongst others, the Light of the World, 3 the Good Shepherd, 4 the living God, 5 our friend, 6 and our Savior. 7
No matter how Jesus is described, what’s truly wonderful is that we can each experience Him in our own way. Jesus takes us where we’re at, and He does often manifest Himself to each of us in the ways that we need or will best relate to as individuals.
Rather than trying to set forth a particular vision of Jesus or His work, this issue of Activated hopes to help you grow in your own relationship with the One who will always love you and seek the best for you. 8
Who do you say that He is?