Discovering the True Identity of Jesus Christ

Mar 13, 2023

Devotional

Day 1: Knowing the Real Jesus, Not a Cultural Imitation

Many people shape Jesus into an image that fits their own desires, backgrounds, or cultural expectations, resulting in a version of Jesus that is disconnected from the truth revealed in Scripture. This tendency is especially prevalent in American culture, where Jesus is often recast as a moral teacher, a gentle figure, or even a mascot for personal or political causes. Yet, the real question that matters is not who society says Jesus is, but who you say He is. The true Jesus is not a chameleon to be molded by our preferences, but the Christ of God who stands above every cultural reinterpretation. Take time today to consider whether your understanding of Jesus is shaped more by culture or by the Word of God. [04:53]

Luke 9:18-22 (ESV)
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed culture, family, or personal preferences to shape your view of Jesus, and how can you intentionally seek to know Him as He truly is revealed in Scripture today?

Day 2: Resting in the Presence of the Father

Jesus, though fully God and fully man, regularly withdrew to spend time alone with the Father in prayer, modeling for us the necessity of spiritual rest and communion with God. In a world obsessed with productivity and busyness, we often neglect the vital practice of stopping to be refreshed by our Creator. If Jesus Himself needed to pause, pray, and rest, how much more do we? True wellness and spiritual vitality are found not in constant activity, but in abiding with the Father, allowing Him to renew and strengthen us for the work ahead. Make it a priority today to pause, rest, and be with God, trusting that He will meet you in that quiet place. [15:01]

Mark 1:35 (ESV)
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to pause from your busy schedule and spend intentional, unhurried time alone with God in prayer?

Day 3: Rejecting the Jesus of Our Imagination

Many desire a Jesus who simply fixes their problems, meets their needs, or affirms their choices, but this is a Jesus of our own making, not the Savior revealed in Scripture. The crowds in Jesus’ day enjoyed His miracles and teachings, but they did not want to follow Him as Lord or repent of their sin. When we reduce Jesus to a personal life coach or a spiritual fix for our issues, we miss the depth of what He came to do—rescue us from our rebellion against God. The gospel confronts us with the reality that we are not merely victims, but sinners in need of grace. Only the real Jesus, not the one of our imagination, can save and transform us. [25:55]

John 12:37-40 (ESV)
Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Reflection: Are there ways you have been seeking a “personal Jesus” to meet your needs without surrendering to Him as Lord? What would it look like to trust Him with your whole life today?

Day 4: Surrendering Our Expectations to the True Christ

Even those closest to Jesus, like Peter and the disciples, misunderstood His mission, expecting Him to fulfill their hopes for power, comfort, or political victory. When Jesus did not meet their expectations, they were disillusioned and tempted to abandon Him. We too can fall into the trap of following Jesus for what we hope He will do for us, rather than for who He truly is. The real Christ calls us to lay down our expectations and follow Him, even when His path leads through suffering, sacrifice, or disappointment. True faith is found in trusting Jesus as He is, not as we wish Him to be. [34:08]

Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV)
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Reflection: What expectations or demands have you placed on Jesus, and how can you surrender those to Him, trusting His wisdom and plan above your own?

Day 5: Resting in the Jesus of Reconciliation

The heart of the gospel is that Jesus, the Son of Man, suffered, was rejected, was killed, and rose again to reconcile us to God. Unlike every other “Jesus” we might imagine or expect, only the Jesus of Scripture—who fully identified with us, bore our sin, and triumphed over death—can truly save. His victory was not in worldly power, but in perfect submission to the Father’s plan, bringing forgiveness, new life, and eternal hope to all who trust in Him. Today, rejoice in the finished work of Christ and yield your life to Him, resting in the assurance that He alone is enough. [46:45]

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again for you change the way you approach Him in prayer, worship, and daily life today?

Sermon Summary

In our culture, Jesus is often remade in our own image—shaped by our preferences, our politics, our pain, and our expectations. From the founding of America to the present day, people have recast Jesus as everything from a moral teacher to a gentle shepherd, a revolutionary, a hippie, a mascot, or even a commercial brand. We see this in the way Jesus is used to support every cause, every ideology, and every personal agenda. Yet, when we do this, we end up with a Jesus who is empty of true identity, a chameleon who is everything to everyone and, in the end, nothing at all. The real question that matters is the one Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”

Looking at Luke 9:18-22, we see that even those closest to Jesus struggled to answer this question rightly. The crowds saw Him as a prophet or miracle worker, someone who could meet their immediate needs but not as the Son of God. The disciples, represented by Peter, confessed Him as the Christ, but even their understanding was clouded by their own expectations of what the Messiah should be—a political liberator, a conqueror, a fulfiller of their dreams. Jesus, however, immediately corrected them: the true Christ must suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again. This was not the Messiah anyone expected, but it was the Messiah everyone needed.

We are tempted to seek a Jesus who simply fixes our problems, affirms our desires, or fits our cultural mold. But the Jesus of our imagination or our expectations cannot save us. Only the Jesus revealed in Scripture—the one who rested in the Father, who knows us fully, who suffered, died, and rose again—can reconcile us to God. He is not just a solution to our short-term problems, but the Savior who deals with our deepest need: our sin and separation from God. The call is to rest in Him, to know Him as He truly is, and to yield our lives to His lordship, not to the versions of Him we create.

Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of a Culturally Shaped Jesus When we shape Jesus according to our culture, preferences, or personal agendas, we end up with a version of Him that is powerless to save. This “Jesus of our imagination” may comfort us temporarily, but He cannot address our deepest need for reconciliation with God. True faith requires us to seek the Jesus revealed in Scripture, not the one we fashion for ourselves. [10:24]
2. The Crowds Wanted Miracles, Not the Messiah The crowds who followed Jesus were eager for His miracles and blessings, but they did not want to confront their own need for repentance and discipleship. They wanted short-term solutions without the cost of following Christ. We must examine whether we are seeking Jesus for what He can do for us, or for who He truly is—the Son of God who calls us to repentance and new life. [25:13]
3. Even the Disciples’ Expectations Fell Short Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ was correct, but his understanding was shaped by expectations of power, victory, and personal advancement. When Jesus spoke of suffering and death, it shattered those expectations. We too must let go of our limited visions of what Jesus should do for us and embrace the costly, redemptive work He actually accomplished. [31:36]
4. The Necessity of Christ’s Suffering and Resurrection Jesus insisted that He “must” suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again. This was not a tragic accident, but the very heart of God’s plan for our salvation. If Jesus only met our earthly desires but did not die for our sins, He would be worthless to us. Our hope and victory are found in the cross and resurrection, not in a Jesus who simply fulfills our wishes. [41:56]
5. Resting in the Real Jesus Brings True Satisfaction The only way to find rest, victory, and satisfaction in a dying world is to know and trust the Jesus of Scripture. This means pausing from our busyness, rejoicing in the gospel, confessing our sins, and yielding our lives to Him. All other versions of Jesus will ultimately disappoint, but the real Christ offers reconciliation, transformation, and eternal hope. [48:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - How America Has Shaped Views of Jesus
[02:31] - Jesus: Loved, But Not Known
[03:34] - Jesus in American Culture and Media
[04:53] - The Question: Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
[06:12] - Reading Luke 9:18-22
[07:20] - Historical American Jesuses
[08:58] - The Gentle and Moral Teacher
[10:24] - The Modern and Commercialized Jesus
[12:51] - The Implications of a Simplified Jesus
[13:38] - The Importance of Knowing the Real Jesus
[15:01] - Jesus’ Rhythm of Rest and Prayer
[18:07] - The Jesus of Our Imagination
[24:02] - The Crowd’s Misunderstanding
[27:54] - The Problem with a Personal Jesus
[29:02] - The Disciples’ Expectations
[34:08] - The Jesus of Reconciliation
[41:56] - The Necessity of Christ’s Suffering
[44:10] - The Victory of the Cross and Resurrection
[48:13] - Resting in the Real Jesus
[49:11] - Prayer and Response
[51:53] - Final Challenge and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Who Do You Say That I Am?"

Bible Reading

- Luke 9:18-22
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Observation Questions

According to Luke 9:18-22, what were some of the different answers people gave when Jesus asked, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
What was Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question, and how did Jesus respond to him?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of how American culture has “remade” Jesus in its own image? [[07:20]]
What did Jesus say must happen to the Son of Man, and why is the word “must” important in this passage? [[41:56]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the crowds were eager for Jesus’ miracles but didn’t recognize Him as the Son of God? What does this reveal about their expectations? [[25:13]]
Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, but his understanding was shaped by his own expectations. How did Jesus correct Peter’s misunderstanding, and what does this teach us about our own assumptions about Jesus? [[31:36]]
The sermon says that when we shape Jesus according to our culture or preferences, we end up with a powerless version of Him. Why is it dangerous to follow a “Jesus of our imagination”? [[10:24]]
Jesus insisted that He “must” suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again. Why was this necessary, and what would it mean if Jesus only met our earthly desires but did not die for our sins? [[43:06]]

Application Questions

The sermon described many “versions” of Jesus shaped by culture, politics, or personal preference (like “gentle shepherd,” “revolutionary,” “commercial brand,” etc.). Which of these versions have you seen most in your own life or community? Have you ever been tempted to follow a “Jesus” that fits your own desires? [[10:24]]
Are there ways you have expected Jesus to simply fix your problems or affirm your desires, rather than surrendering to who He truly is? How has this affected your relationship with Him? [[25:13]]
The crowds wanted miracles and blessings, but not repentance or discipleship. In what areas of your life do you find yourself wanting Jesus’ help without wanting to follow Him fully? [[25:13]]
Peter’s expectations for Jesus were shattered when Jesus spoke of suffering and death. Has there been a time when God’s plan for your life didn’t match your expectations? How did you respond? [[31:36]]
The sermon calls us to “rest in the Jesus revealed in Scripture.” What practical steps can you take this week to know Jesus as He truly is, rather than as you want Him to be? [[48:40]]
Jesus regularly paused to pray and rest with the Father. How can you build a rhythm of pausing, rejoicing, confessing, and yielding in your own walk with God? [[15:01]]
The real Jesus offers reconciliation, transformation, and eternal hope. Is there an area of your life where you need to yield to His lordship today? What would it look like to do that? [[49:11]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pause together as a group. Rejoice in who Jesus truly is, confess any ways you have tried to shape Him into your own image, and yield your lives to His lordship. Ask God to help you know and follow the real Jesus, not the one of your imagination or expectations.

Sermon Clips

“Today, it seems like nobody hates Jesus, but very few actually know Jesus. So many people have written about Jesus, many have opinions about Jesus, but few really know him.”

“Many are, what they're doing in our culture, in our communities, in our country, is that we are taking parts of Jesus, taking the parts that we like, and then discarding the ones that we don't. So really, Jesus has become an empty character for cultures and historical periods to shape in their image. And that has especially been done in America.”

“What Jefferson wanted to emphasize about Jesus' life is that he was a moral teacher, and therefore had some important moral lessons and principles to teach this new country, the citizens of the new country of America, that Jesus was purely just a mere moral teacher. No miracles. His gospel ends with Jesus' burial. There is no resurrection.”

“Actually, Christmas became the most important holiday for the Christian because we like baby Jesus, not adult Jesus. We like Jesus in the manger with the shepherds and the animals. We don't particularly like the Jesus who tells us to follow Him.”

“But here are things like, Jesus, just give me Jesus. Well, what Jesus are we talking about? Jesus has been so simplified, so commercialized, and so biblically wrong. Jesus loves me regardless of what I do. Jesus loves me without exception. Therefore, I can identify with an adulterous culture or an adulterous lifestyle or an LGBTQ plus culture. Because Jesus dined. He dined with sinners. Therefore, I'm a sinner. I do whatever I want. And Jesus will love me regardless. That's the Jesus of the 21st century.”

“The question asked by Jesus in this passage is vital. It's everything. It's so important. Is He just simply the gentle Jesus that looks like Thor? Or is Jesus the one that we see in Scripture, the one who hung on a cross, the one who conquered sin and death through the resurrection? Is that the true Jesus?”

“It's interesting that we think we don't have the time to pray, to stop, and be with the Lord, when Genesis 1 says God has given us dominion, but yet it seems like we're masters of our schedules, as if we bow every morning to our calendar and say, oh, Master, tell me what my job is today.”

“It's interesting that Christ…the Lord needed time alone with the Father. And we desperately need it. You know, wellness is such an important issue of our day, right? People talk about food and how you treat your body, mental health, and exercising. But rarely do you ever hear Gwyneth Paltrow or Oprah or any of them out there talking about the need of spending time alone with the God, the Creator. It's so vital to wellness.”

“We want Jesus to be our homeboy, right? We want Jesus to be our buddy, but we don't want the omniscient Lord. We don't want the Lord who knows everything. But, sorry, he does know everything.”

“We imagine the Jesus of our own making to solve our own personal issues. We miss who He truly is and what He came to truly repair in your life. The problem with the gospel for people is they don't want to hear the story that they're the bad guy. You're the bad guy. You want to make the story where you're the victim, and there are other people who are the bad guy. The government, my parents, my boss, they're the bad guys. I'm the victim. Jesus, kill the bad guy. Remove the bad guy. But you are the bad guy. You are the sinner rebelling against God, and Jesus comes and saves you from yourself. That's the gospel.”

“Is Jesus simply a moral teacher, a miracle worker, or even a comical character that represents no fun? Some of you children, maybe some of you think that Jesus is no fun. He's a goody, goody, goody, goody two-shoes. That's the Jesus that my friends tell me about and mock. Who do you say that I am?”

“Jesus was not a political Messiah. He was not going to cast fire from the sky and destroy all the Roman soldiers and turn them into dust, right? He could have done that. He is God. He has the power to do that. What you saw in the Sodom and Gomorrah, Jesus could do, but Jesus didn't do that.”

“Jesus was not setting up the apostles to be the apostles of a healing ministry or a feeding ministry or a political ministry, but a salvation ministry. A salvation ministry that preaches that the law does not make you right with God. In fact, you are not right with God. Being a Jew, being a son of Abraham will not solve your sin problem. You must give that all the way and follow Jesus if you want to be right with God. That's it. So, moralism has no power to save. Behavioralism has no power to save. Churchism has no power to save. Religiosity has no power to save. And I'm sorry for this one, but southern hospitality has no power to save. It has no power to save. Jesus Christ alone has the power to save.”

“The Son of God called Himself the Son of Man. He became like us in every way. Hebrews 2, 14 through 18, He became like us, flesh and blood. It was necessary for Christ to become like us, to identify with us in every way. He lived in a fallen world. He lived as a man. He took on flesh, and He suffered for our sake.”

“He knows you. He knows your pain points, your fears, your desires, your hopes, your regrets. And you think you're fooling everybody, but Christ knows. He knows deeply who you are. He identified with you anyway. He suffered for you anyway. He was rejected for you anyway. He was killed for you anyway. He was raised for you anyway. He meditated for you anyway. He's coming back for you anyways. You're messed up, but yet He loves you anyways. He died for you anyways. He renewed you anyways. He gave you a new heart anyways.”

“If Jesus gave you everything you wanted, everything your heart desired, He gave you, but He never died on the cross, what would that mean? It would mean Jesus is worthless. He has no value because you would be spiritually dead, and your destiny would be hell and separation from God. What a worthless Savior that is.”

“We always want to simplify Jesus. We're going to simplify him, simplify him, cut pieces off that we don't like, cast away what we don't like about Christ. But Jesus is fully God and fully man, fully divine and fully human, God of God, full of glory, like us in every way as well. And that Jesus identified, suffered, died, and was raised according to the Scriptures so that we may have satisfaction in a dying world.”

“Christ's power was rooted not in his ability to persuade or overpower, but was in his perfect submission to the plan of his Father. We see this on full display in Philippians chapter 2. Emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, born in the likeness of man, subjected himself to death, even death on a cross. And then what did God do? He highly exalted him above all. And if you are in Christ, you are exalted in Christ.”

“We fight the same battle Jesus fought by resting in him and his already victory of reconciliation. We rest in that. We don't rest in a Jesus that will give us whatever we want or fulfill our every desire or fill our expectation or our imaginations. That Jesus does not get us victory in the war. It does not give us satisfaction in a dying world. Only the Jesus that died, the only Jesus that was raised, the Jesus that we see in Scripture, him alone.”

“The Jesus of our imagination will not help you to win the battle against sin, Satan, and the world, nor will the Jesus of our expectations. We must rest in the Jesus that is the Christ of God who identified, lived, suffered, died, and was raised according to the Scriptures, and once for all delivered to the saints. That's the only one. That's why we preach and teach the Bible, because it's the only thing that gives us victory in the war.”

“You have to think and reflect and rest in the sovereignty of the Lord in your life. You have to trust Him. Whatever you're going through, that you can trust in God. That's the whole point of pausing and saying, Lord, I can't do, I can't fix my problems through just overthinking everything. I have to just rest in you.”

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