Jesus asks, ‘Who do you say I am?’ What is your answer?

In Christ we have a double victory: First, over the natural elements of our world, and second, over the spiritual forces arrayed against us.

We see this clearly throughout the New Testament, and if we believe the World of God, we will be a people who live in joyful confidence. Defeatism is not a characteristic of the Bible, but ultimately a triumphal procession over the powers of darkness and chaos. Let me just provide one small sample from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8:23-34.

Here in chapter eight, we see the alarming power of nature in the “great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves.” (v.25 ESV) On board was Jesus fast asleep, “And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’” (v.25 ESV) Though his disciples were terrified and of “little faith” (v.26 ESV), Jesus “rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.” (v.26b ESV) (This term “rebuked” is also found in Jesus reproving and the censuring of Satan and the demons, see Luke 4:41; Mark 1:25.) Jesus’ disciples “marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?’ ” (v.27 ESV)

Reading on in Matthew eight, we come to the healing of the two men with demons, verses 28-34. And what is it we marvel at in this passage? Answer: the divine power of the Son of God to defeat the powers of darkness. These “two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.” (v.28 ESV)

To regard this as “terrifying” would be, and I am sure you would agree, an understatement: a pair of demon-possessed men crying out from the tombs! You will observe verse 31 relates that the demons were speaking, “saying, ‘If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.’ ” And what did Jesus Christ say to them? He said, “ ‘Go!’ So they came out and went into the pigs ...” (v.32 ESV) Observe, one word from Jesus and the evil spirits were banished and the men healed.

What is this narrative about? The townspeople, demons, pigs or the demon-possessed men? These scriptural pictures are about the identity of Jesus Christ. Who is this person? Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15, 16 ESV) And Peter replies in verse 17, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Dear reader, what is your answer to that very same question: Jesus is asking you, “Who do you say that I am?”

Christianson serves as pastor at Grace Reformed Church in Clarkston.