And he (Jesus) asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Mark 8:29
Jesus began this conversation with his disciples, asking the question, “ ‘Who do men say I am?’ They replied, ‘John the Baptist, others say, Elijah, and others, one of the prophets.’ And he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ “
Peter is the one who responds, ‘‘You are the Christ’’. From Matthews Gospel, Peter says, ''You are the Christ, the son of the living God’’.
How did he know this? As jews, Peter and the other disciples were looking for the coming Messiah and would have known the scriptures pointing to His coming. Matthews gospel takes great pains to show the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus’ works.
And yet, with all this knowledge, the thing that strikes me is that Jesus said this understanding was revealed to Him by the Father, not flesh and blood. Once again, we find that while signs can be a testimony, the ultimate awareness of knowledge and understanding is birthed by the work of our Father. It is a spiritual working.
No man can come to Him unless he is called. We have not chosen Him, he has chosen us. Lest you think I believe in some type of exclusivity, the bible assures us that this gospel message is unto all and God is not willing for any man to perish. There is some point in a life (many points, for He never tires of drawing men to Jesus) the Spirit wooing and convicting a heart. They will be without excuse if and in the rejection.
So this question, ‘Who do you say I am’ becomes foundational to every individual. Jesus is the entry way to the Father. He is called ‘the door’. He is called ‘the way’. He is ‘the truth’ and he is ‘the life.’ All these words define and express His heart and purpose. Without understanding each and every one of these aspects, we miss out on whatever that aspect provides.
The bible reveals Jesus with a variety of names. There are the metaphorical names (e.g., the Vine, the Door, the Way, the Bread of life), His personal name (Jesus), and then the various titles (e.g., Good Shepherd, Christ, Son of God, Son of Man).
I would like to take the next few weeks to examine the value of all that His name encompasses and trust the Holy Spirit to fill us with an increased wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Let us begin with his birth name. Jesus, the name above every name. The name every knee will bow to and every tongue will confess. The very name, chosen by the Father and given to Mary by the angel Gabriel, Luke 1:31, and to Joseph in a dream; "She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins". Matthew 1:21.
[Yəhôšuaʿ (Joshua, Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), including Yahweh/Yehowah saves, (is) salvation, (is) a saving-cry, (is) a cry-for-saving, (is) a cry-for-help, (is) my help].
All who call upon this name shall be saved. Jesus comes first to us as the Saviour of our lives and brings us into the family of God. His very body and blood are the redeeming sacrifice that provides eternal life for all who chose to call upon the name.
Hebrews 13:6, reminds us the Lord is our Helper or “Boethos”.
From Helps Word Study in the Discovery Bible we learn this Greek word means:
a helper, bringing the right aid in time, i.e. meeting an urgent, real need. See 997 (boēthéō). 998/boēthnos (literally, "one who runs to help") refers to someone quickly responding with no unnecessary delays, supplying aid where there is intense distress.
998 (boēthnos) only occurs in Heb 13:6 to give exactly the assistance just when we need – in just the right way, at just the right time!
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
The assurance of God’s heart for salvation resides in the name of Jesus. In the knowing, it gives us a place of rest. He is Jesus, the Saviour; the name we call for all we need.