As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, (Yeshua Hamishiach) more commonly known as Easter Sunday on April 21, 2019, we must understand the significance of who Jesus Christ was!
In Matthew 16: 13-16, we find one of the most powerful questions and statements about Jesus Christ. Jesus asks the disciples a question that each and every person on this earth had to answer or will have to answer! Let’s read!
Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He said unto them, But who do say that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
This is one of the most profound scriptures in the Bible because the question is still being asked today! There are many things that people are saying about Jesus Christ, and so many people have their own idea of who he is.
Yet, the most important question is in verse 15! But who do you say that I am? How many of us know that it really doesn’t matter what anybody else says, the world says, or what people say on YouTube. Who is Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Yeshua Hamishiach to you?
It is amazing that out of twelve disciples, only one person answered correctly! It is the same today. Many people have no answer, or their answer does not line up with Biblical truth. I want you to know that it really doesn’t matter what anybody says about the LORD, the truth of the matter is that he is the CHRIST, (Messiah) the Son of the LIVING GOD!
Before Jesus was crucified, he was betrayed by Judas and taken before the High priest, Chief priests, Elders and Scribes to give an account of all the accusations of who he was. (Mar 14: 53) This in essence was a big deal because these individuals were the “respected religious leaders of the community.” As the High priest examined Jesus who was tied up, he looked squarely in the face of Jesus and asked many questions. Jesus response was silence!
This is a powerful example to follow, because when there are questions about your character or actions, sometimes it does not merit a response! Jesus didn’t say a word, but then the High priest asks him an interesting question, and Jesus response this time is both powerful and monumental!
Mar 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst
and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men
testify against You?”
Mar 14:61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest
asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the
Blessed?”
Mar 14:62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting
at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
They asked Jesus was he the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, or Blessed One? In other words are you the Son of God (Yahweh or Yehovah)? Jesus uttered two words: ” I am.”
Now understand that they two words are monumental and phenomenal! Why?
“I AM” is the name of the Most High God aka (El Elyon) (El Shaddai), who is the creating and covenant God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! (Gen 1: 3) (Exo 3: 15) When Moses was commissioned to go into Egypt to deliver the children of Israel, he asked the Most High, who shall I say sent me?
Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, This is what you shall say unto the children of Israel, “I AM” has sent me unto you.
So Jesus was identifying himself with the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when he said, ” I AM!” Not only did Jesus say ” I AM” but he went on to make seven powerful, profound, statements of who he was in relation to God:
1. I am the bread of life. John 6: 35
2. I am the light of the world John. 8: 12
3. I am the door. John 10: 9
4. I am the good shepherd. John 10: 11
5. I am the resurrection and the life. John 11: 25
6. I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14: 6
7. I am the true vine. John 15: 1
Jesus basically said, “I am who you say I am,” and not only that, but guess what? You will also see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, (the right hand of the Father in Heaven) and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14: 62) What a response!!!
The religious leaders of that day knew that he was referring to the covenant keeping God who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel!~ This is why they rejected him. They is why they did not receive him! This was considered blasphemy or in other religious terms, they said that he was making himself equal with Almighty God!
Jesus did not have to make himself equal with God. Father God himself, proclaimed in Luke 3: 22, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.”
My brothers, sisters, family and friends, as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us remember that Jesus (Yeshua) is exactly who he said he was! For in the appointed time, he will indeed return with all power in his hand, and every eye shall see him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2: 9-11)
If you have not accepted him as LORD and Savior of your life, do so today by praying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus, I confess and repent of my sins. I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins. You were buried and resurrected on the third day. I renounce sin and ask you to come into my heart and life. Purge me and fill me with your precious Holy Spirit. Today I believe, trust and follow Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless, Pastor Quinn