THE QUESTION

LUKE 9:18-27

But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Here Jesus asks a question. The Question actually! Because if Jesus is who He claims to be, then all other inquiries pale in comparison!

Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

With this answer comes a realization that this Teacher isn’t just another moral philosopher. His message is God’s message.

Jesus asks the question about His identity because the answer matters. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of this question end up opposing God. At the very least, ignoring Him!

This is of ultimate importance because the Creator has a claim on His creation.

It isn’t simply a matter of God dictating the rules, although He could. It is more like a loving parent who gently teaches a child about what is true. The realities of life!

According to Jesus it is God’s love for mankind that prompted His coming into the world. That’s what He tells Peter and the other students who know who He is…

The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Jesus doesn’t come only to speak God’s Truth. He also calls His students to stand with Him and follow Him in the Way of Truth.

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”