The gospel writer, Luke, records the Lord’s challenge to his disciples about his identity. “And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, whom say the people that I am?” (Luke 9:18). It was a fair question. He had come testifying that he was the Son of God, performing the miracles that was prophesied of his being and purpose. Even so, the answers of the people missed the mark. “They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again” (Luke 9:19).
It is evident from the passage that Jesus was not moved by what the people thought, but that he desired this initial inquiry to lead to exploring what his disciples thought. “He said unto them, but whom say ye that I am?” (Luke 9:20). They had been living in close proximity to the Lord for quite some time now, both observing his miracles and listening to his teaching. It was imperative that his disciples were convinced of his claims as to who he was before they could embrace his purpose for coming. Peter speaking with great boldness and confidence, perhaps for all of the disciples, “answered and said, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
The Scriptures declare “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21). This was not what his disciples were expecting.
The title “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” The Messiah was God’s anointed One, the promised deliverer of God’s earthly people, the Jews. In Jesus’ day the Jews expected the Messiah to deliver his people from Roman rule and establish his kingdom on earth. But before Jesus could take his place as the King of Israel, he must first suffer death on the cross. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The disciples recoiled at the Lord’s declaration of his death. In fact, Peter rebuked the Lord, saying, “be it far from thee, Lord: this [his death] shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 1622). But our Lord answered Peter forcefully ascribing his resistance to God’s will to Satan himself. “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:23).
Our Savior clearly understood God’s plan and purpose in redeeming the souls of men and followed it faithfully. The claims of Christ stand today as plain as they did 2,000 years ago. He is the Messiah, the King of Israel and the Lamb of God, the Savior of men. He is coming back soon to establish his throne. The question that Jesus asked his disciples remains valid. What think ye? Whom say ye that I am?
From the Chaplain 