Jesus’ Questions: Who do you say that I am?

When you are reading the gospels, do you stop and ask yourself the answers to Jesus’ questions?

Like in Mark 8: 29, “Who do you say that I am?”

Jesus asked these questions of His disciples, and the people who came to Him seeking answers and help. They often shifted the tone of the whole conversation, made people stop to think, and try to figure out what Jesus was really after in them. Should we think of these questions only in their immediate context in scripture or do we need to perhaps answer them for ourselves? It seems to me, these questions are meant for us, you and me to answer here and now as we spend time in His Word. Can’t you feel Jesus’ eyes on you, asking this heartfelt question? I believe He really wants to hear your real answer. 

If you are a Christ-follower you may be tempted to give the ‘right’ answer, the ‘Sunday-School’ answer… but goodness, please don’t do that. That defeats the purpose of sitting with Jesus and going beyond what is ‘right’ to what you really believe. These questions are meant to help us dig in and dig deep, asking the Spirit of God to reveal the hidden things lost in the recesses of our hearts. Each question is a real opportunity to expose and help you build your faith. Sit with it and let yourself ponder, asking for revelation. 

So what do you do when your answer isn’t the ‘right’ one? Bring it to Jesus! Offer it as a sacrifice, confess any lies, ask God to strip away doubts, and use it as an opportunity to realign with Jesus and the truth of His character.. Whatever the answer is, use it to drive you deeper into His arms, and deeper into His Word. Pray and ask for more faith, faith to rest in the truth of who Jesus is… and this real faith will change the way you see all of life.

Here is where some of my thoughts went as I sat with this question recently, it might help you get started: Reading Mark 8:27-38 might be helpful to you….

‘Who do you say that I am?’

Do I really believe that Jesus is the Messiah? 

Jesus, are You God? 

Do I really believe that He’s the One that has changed everything? 

Do I really believe that He is the Creator of the universe, and that my life needs to come in line with His? 

Is He my friend?  

Is He my Savior?