What About You? Who Do You Say I Am?

Jesus’ Critical Question Transforms the Perspective and Behavior of Believers

“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
—Matthew 16:15-16

Jesus once famously asked a question of his disciples that has resonated among those who have heard of his mission and ministry over the centuries: “What about you? Who do you say I am?”

This is a question that has eternal significance, of course. Those who answer it for themselves as Peter did understand that they are entrusting their eternal soul to a living and loving Savior. In this post, we will explore the other implications of this question for the Christian’s everyday life.

The question, “Who do you say I am?” is a practical question for the decisions we make on a daily basis. Different from the classic “What would Jesus do?” idea, which is much more an internal decision-making consideration, this question, carefully considered by the sincere believer, is much more outward-facing. We who follow Jesus as Lord have an opportunity to answer this question differently every single day, showing to a watching world how the Spirit has transformed us from the inside out.

The Context of the Question

Matthew’s Gospel sets the scene for us. In chapter 16 Matthew details a demand from the Pharisees that Jesus present them with a sign—some sort of an indication that he is who he says he is, or some demonstration of his authority. They want to see a trick, a miracle, some continuation of the signs he has been performing in the sight of hundreds of people. They want Jesus to justify himself, on demand.

Jesus refuses. He knows that these Pharisees have hearts that are not open to hearing a true word about who he is and what his mission is in the world. Seeing this, Jesus’ response is quick and brief: “ ‘A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away” (Matthew 16:4).

This is a “mic drop” moment for Jesus. He’s said all he needs to say, and he quickly leaves the scene.

Later, when he and the disciples are in a boat out on the water, Jesus ruminates about this encounter with the Pharisees and warns his disciples against the corrupting “yeast” of such individuals. Their intentions are contrary to the goals of Jesus’ ministry and mission, and he cautions his closest followers to be aware of their pervasive influence.

What About You?

The next story in this chapter brings us to this time-and-eternity spanning question—one that has direct impacts on our attitudes and actions every single day.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
—Matthew 16:13-20

A Question for the Ages

Jesus’ question is spoken and recorded in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This question has resonated over the ages; it can be answered in so many different ways by so many different individuals who hear it. As we study God’s Word, we find the same multiplicity of answers among the stories and characters in the Bible.

This is a question the answer to which changes as quickly as our daily experiences change. We get up in the morning not knowing what a day will bring. We move through our workdays and into family time taking in all of the inputs we need to manage our day. But do we ever stop to think about Jesus’ question and how it impacts our daily thoughts and practices?

When we interact with others at work, when we sit with strangers on public transportation, when we interact with a nurse at a doctor visit, how do we answer this question:

“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”

What does our disposition, our mood, our speech, our actions, and our attitude say to others about who Jesus is and how he impacts our daily lives?

Of course, the overarching concern is that we and others answer this question in a way similar to the one Peter gave. It’s a life- and eternity- changing statement that Peter makes when he says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Open and shut—this is Peter’s testimony; one that he spoke to so many during his ministry and one that he ultimately gave his life for. Peter answered that question consistently as his ministry moved forward.

In the same way, every single day we as believers have the opportunity to testify to the impact of the Spirit in our lives. Others can see this in the way we present ourselves. Those who know of our commitment to Jesus should be able to see his influence in our daily lives. Peter himself testified to this when he wrote: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

And in this statement lies our opportunity. This is how we bridge into the lives of others: Everyone loves a good story. And we can use our own personal stories and experiences as individuals whose lives have been forever changed by the gift of salvation in Jesus to lead others more closely to Jesus.

Who Do You Say Jesus Is Today?

What in your experience today communicates something of the hope that you have inside of your heart? If you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart and life and choose every day to follow him as he has asked, then you have an opportunity to present a new testimony every single day. Let’s look at a few examples.

• Who do you say Jesus is to the boss who overloads you with work on a Friday afternoon? Here we can answer this question by saying, “Jesus, you are my Protector. Empower me to be kind and respectful, but also to help my boss understand what priorities I’m called to this afternoon and evening.”
• When a child comes to you in the midst of your busy day, do you stop to listen to him or her and give wisdom that comes from your heart so that they can learn what they can expect of you in such situations? What does your attitude say to them about Jesus in such moments? In this scenario, we can answer this key question and demonstrate to the hurting child through our words and actions, “Jesus is your and my Comforter. He is the One who sees us. He knows every situation fully, and he will help us through it in a way that will demonstrate his wisdom.”
• When you’re driving down the road and get hit by someone who made a mistake and pulled out into the road without seeing your vehicle, how do you react? What does your initial response to this situation say about the hope you have inside of you? When he or she comes to you in tears after the vehicles are loaded up on to the flatbed haulers, do you curse him or her for being irresponsible, or do you show the love of God to them in the face of this accident? Here you can communicate to the other party that “Jesus is love, and his love rules in my heart. We can be thankful that he has protected us in this situation, and we can trust that he will manage the details of this situation moving forward.”

Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?” Can resonate powerfully in our hearts and minds when faced with such situations on a daily basis. As his representatives on earth, we are called to testify to the hope and love that we have inside of us.

Or consider the testimony of one of the Bible’s most notorious characters, the ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar. Humbled because of his pride, Daniel 6 records that God’s transformative plan for this pagan ruler included the following:

“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
—Daniel 6:24-25

The prophet Daniel’s prediction came to pass, and Nebuchadnezzar was humbled in this way. But the pagan king later testified to God’s transforming work in this way:

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
—Daniel 6:34-37

The story of this proud individual testifies that, as our circumstances change, our answer to this critical question changes as well.

Every new day gives us opportunities to deepen our experience with him through his Holy Spirit. Every day we can show the impacts of that relationship to a watching world.

So today, how will you answer that question? “What about you? Who do you say I am?” Think about a specific instance in which you have shown the love of the Lord who lives in your heart today to a watching world. Then pray that you’ll have many more opportunities to demonstrate the reality of your transformed heart to a watching world who needs the light and life that Jesus offers.

“What about you? Who do you say I am?”

By Mike Vander Klipp, a senior editor with the Zondervan Bible Group, where he’s been privileged to work for the past three decades. He and his family live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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