But how would you respond to His question, “but who do you say that I am?” Be careful how you answer. Peter was quick to say, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). But his behavior didn’t fit with his endorsement. When Jesus later told them about His coming death, Peter took the Lord aside and rebuked Him, basically saying, “you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hardly a way you would treat someone you really believed was deity!

Who do you say Jesus is? How is your thinking different from everyone else in the world? And does your conduct your conclusions you’ve reached about Him?

“Thou art the Son of Man.” Jesus is referred by that title over 80 times in the New Testament. He put on flesh. He was born of a woman. He worked at a job. He experienced pain. He felt sorrow. According to the writer of Hebrews, He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

If you really believe that about Jesus, why don’t you seek His help in overcoming the everyday troubles of life? We go to great lengths to find counsel from all the great experts but never from Him who is our greatest example. Who better to advise you than He whose faith never shrank, who never lost His temper, who never thought, “I wish I hadn’t said that.” If He is the Son of Man, he can relate to all sons of men.

“Thou art the Son of God.” Jesus was more than just a man, He was God in the flesh. People were amazed at His teaching (Matt. 7:28). They fell down before Him (Matt. 17:6). They knew they were in the presence of God.

Remember, Jesus asked, “why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say” (Luke 6:46)? Our belief in Jesus as the Son of God must translate into our obedience to His commands. It is not enough for us to say He is the King; we must make Him our King, Lord of our life. Otherwise, we cannot expect to enter His kingdom.

“Thou art the Savior.” “Behold,” said John, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Lambs are meant for sacrifice, a substitute offering for sin. Jesus’ death paid the penalty of our sin and canceled our debt of death. That was why the Savior came to earth, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Is that what you believe about Jesus? Do you say that He is the Savior? Then why haven’t you taken care of your sins? Jesus can find only those who realize that they’re lost. He can save only those who understand they are under the condemnation of sin. Though the denominational world has abused the phrase, He must be your personal Savior.

“Thou art the righteous Judge.” This “Son of Man” is coming again (Matt. 25:31). He will sit on “His glorious throne” as “King” (Matt. 25:34). The first time, He came to seek and to save the lost. His second coming will be to divide the saved from the lost.

Since you believe Jesus is returning to judge the living and the dead, why aren’t you prepared to meet Him? We sometimes act like we don’t really believe in heaven and hell or the judgment. Our hearts seem to be focused more on life than eternal life. Make no mistake about it. Jesus is coming. Don’t miss him for the world.

So, what do you say? And more importantly, do you live by what you say? That’s what Jesus really wants to know.