My husband calls me Dear or Barbara. My children call me Mom. Most of my grandchildren call me Grammy, but some call me Granny. My siblings call me Barbara, though a couple of them call me Barbara Lynn. My nieces and nephews call me Barbara, and a few call me Aunt Barbara. Church folks call me Barbara, Sister Barbara, Pastor Barbara, or Minister Barbara.

I could go on and on with the various names to which I answer. What I am called is totally based on the relationship I have with the person.

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So, they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  – Matthew 16:13-16 NKJV.

When Jesus asked the disciples a question about His identity, His disciples began to repeat what others had said about the identity of Jesus. When He specifically asked His disciples about His identity, I wonder if they were pondering how to answer the question. Finally, Simon Peter spoke up, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

That was a bold proclamation by Peter. At the time this conversation took place, it could be dangerous to call Jesus the Christ, especially in the context of the Roman Empire. Declaring “Jesus is Lord” was considered treasonous because it was a direct challenge to the authority of Caesar, who was also proclaimed as “Lord”. This confession could be a death sentence, and the willingness to say it signaled a profound level of commitment to faith in Jesus Christ.

In present times in many countries, it can be a death sentence to profess who Jesus is. I support the ministry Voice of the Martyrs, and the stories are quite sobering. So many lose their lives or suffer torture because they dare to say who Jesus is. While not to death sentence level in the USA, increased pressure is being felt to stand up for the real Jesus and the true Word of God.

The question asked by Jesus is quite profound. It is a question that begs all Christians to answer. People believe all kinds of things about Jesus and God. He was a great teacher. He was a prophet. He lived an exemplary life. He was caring. All of those are true, but none answer the question.

Jesus faces us with this same question even today. “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus is not so much interested in how people of the world answer this. He is interested in how His followers answer. The disciples stood there seeing Jesus in the flesh. Who is this hard-working Man, dusty from travelling, tired from hours of teaching and healing, who speaks the words of God? This Man, beaten and humiliated, who would die hanging naked on a cross? This Man, buried in a borrowed tomb? This Man, risen from the dead, never to die again—full of joy and promising everlasting life to everyone who trusts in Him? Who is He?

How do I answer the question that Jesus asked? You are my Lord and Savior. You are the One who forgives all of my sins. I was lost and on the way to hell, unable to save myself, and You paid the price for my sin. You are the One I can trust in times of trouble. You are the Son of God. You are Lord, the One who rules the universe at God the Father’s right hand. You are the One who is my hope and my joy even in the darkness. You are the One who will never leave me and never forsake me. You are my healer! You are my Lord. You are Jesus, my soon coming King. You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

That’s my answer, and I am sticking to it!!

Who do you say that He is? This is the most critical question you will ever answer because your eternal destiny hinges on it.

“Jesus, give us the courage today to say that you are the Lord and Savior and to show in our lives that we believe it.”  Amen.