Who Do You Say That He Is?

Mark 14:60-64
60 And then the high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not offer any answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not offer any answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and *said to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.

If you’ve ever been around a three-year-old, you know that questions are always swirling around in their minds. They are beginning to connect some of the dots in their lives, so naturally they have a lot of questions: Why do I need to brush my teeth? Why do I need to eat vegetables? Why is the sky blue? And, if we are honest, as we mature we continue to have questions and seek answers; however, in life, there is no greater question than the one asked by the High Priest in Mark 14, “Who is Jesus Christ?”

Many have spent their lives seeking to find out who Jesus is. In fact, the great religions of the world all have differing views of His true identity. Your answer to this question will determine not just where you fall within the religions of the world, but ultimately the answer you give will determine your eternal destiny. This question is not something that can be dismissed; rather, it must be addressed by every single human being. “Who is Jesus Christ?”

While this great debate echoes throughout the world, Jesus gives us the answer. Here in Mark 14, Jesus is asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” In other words, are you really the Messiah sent by God? Are you really the Son of God who came and took on flesh? Jesus responds simply yet powerfully, “I AM.” It’s a declaration not just of His role as our Messiah, but His answer proclaims He shares in the same divinity as the Father. Jesus declares Himself to be unique in His personhood, yet one with the Father in His divinity. As the Son of God, He has come as the Christ to redeem those who will submit to Him in faith. The same “I AM” who led Israel out of slavery from Egypt has come to lead sinners out of slavery from sin and death.

So, the question remains, “Who do YOU say that He is?”

If you encountered someone who had never heard of Jesus Christ, how would you describe who He is in His nature and His role as Redeemer?

How does your answer to the question, “Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?” have a direct impact on your life today?

Gracious Father, we thank You that You did not spare Your own Son in sending Him to be the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sin. We rejoice in the understanding that through the sacrifice of the Son of God, we have been totally and fully redeemed. May our lives be a living testimony that our God saves. Amen