Introduction
13 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?" Matthew 16:13
Jesus asked a very significant question to the disciples in the
book of Matthew:
13 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?"
Matthew 16:13
Anyone who has been around Christianity any amount of time is probably
familiar with this verse of a scripture. There was word around the
area and speculation about who Jesus really was. He had a reputation
with the people and Jesus was interested in what the disciples thought
about Him. The disciples began to answer Jesus:
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and
others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Matthew 16:14
People had varying opinions about who Jesus was. Some said that
He was John the Baptist. There are some who thought Jesus was reincarnated
as Elijah. Perhaps Jesus was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. What
is common is that the people were able to recognize one of the offices
of Jesus: His office of prophet. Many people saw Jesus as nothing
more than just a good prophet. However, to just recognize Jesus
as a prophet is not sufficient. He is more than just a prophet.
People could not deny that there was something about Jesus that
distinguished Him from other people on the earth. The very acts
that He did demanded an answer as to who He was. He was not simply
a magician. He was not performing illusions. Instead, the works
that Jesus did demonstrated the very power of God. Despite the works,
many people were still not willing to entertain the possibility
that Jesus was the Christ. Therefore, the word on the street was
that He was a reincarnated prophet.
This is how it is today: people see Jesus as nothing more than a
good prophet. Unless a person is ignorant about the facts of history,
he or she will know that Jesus walked the face of the earth. I have
heard of foolish, unlearned people who would say that they do not
believe that Jesus even existed. Even atheists who do not believe
in God know that Jesus existed. They simply do not acknowledge Jesus’
divinity. People today will say that Jesus was a good man, perhaps
even a sinless man, and there are even those of a particular religion
who claim that Jesus was a sinless prophet. However, to say that
Jesus was more than that, men and women were not willing to do.
In spite of all of this, what do you say? Who do you say that Jesus
is? Do you realize who Jesus is? Peter had a revelation of Jesus.
When Jesus asked Peter who Jesus was, Peter answered:
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the
Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16
Jesus said that Peter was blessed as a result of this answer. Why
would Jesus call Peter blessed? Peter believed that Jesus was the
Christ. He was blessed with the revelation of Jesus. This elevates
Jesus to an entirely different level and status. The Christ has
a threefold office and superiority. Not only was the Christ the
prophet that was promised, but the Christ was also to be a King
and a Priest. By Peter calling Jesus the Christ, he was affirming
that he believed that Jesus is very God! Here Jesus would have had
the perfect opportunity to correct Peter if He were not truly God.
Jesus, being a prophet, would have certainly let Peter know that
He was not the Christ unless Jesus did believe that He was the Christ.
This is why we echo the words of C.S. Lewis, affirming that Jesus
was a liar, lunatic, or the very Son of God. People do not give
up their lives for lunatics in the manner that the apostles did.
The very works that Jesus did and the predictions that happened
demonstrated that He is no liar. Therefore, by mere evidence, one
would have to conclude that Jesus is the Christ; the very Son of
God – the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
Praise the Lord that Jesus is the Son of God!
As you can tell by the title of this new series, we will be exploring
Jesus’ offices. Jesus, being the Christ is a Prophet, Priest,
and the King. There is no one that held all three of these offices
save the Christ. Even Melchizedek who Jesus would come after the
similitude of was a priest and a king. However, this Christ, He
is all three: prophet, priest, and king.
I believe that there are many Christians who really do not know
who Christ really is. I mean, we should be able to get excited and
inspired by Christ. When we explore these three offices, I want
to really communicate the significance of Christ to our faith. What
is the significance of Christ being a prophet? A prophet is one
who speaks on the behalf of God. Since Jesus is a Divine Prophet,
then what does that mean about the words that He spoke? What does
that mean about the words that He heard? Since Jesus is a Divine
High Priest, then what does that mean about the sacrifice that He
offered? When He makes intercession for us, how much does God pay
attention to this? Finally, since Jesus is a Divine King (the Bible
says King of Kings and Lord of Lords), then what does that mean
about His authority? A king has authority in his kingdom. In his
kingdom, he has the preeminence. When Jesus says that He holds all
power in His hands, what does that really mean? I pray that you
really consider all three of these offices that Jesus holds and
that it will deepen your understanding on this Christ; our Lord
and Savior. When you truly have a revelation of Christ, it changes
your life. You cannot stop praising His name. While I was studying
some of the offices that He holds, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I sincerely pray that this series blesses you above measure.
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