Who Do You Say That I Am?

Today, we gathered as a family to consider the most important question any of us will ever face: “Who do you say that I am?” This is the question Jesus asked his disciples, and it’s the question that confronts every person, regardless of background, upbringing, or current beliefs. We saw that Jesus doesn’t simply hand us an answer sheet—he invites us into a journey of discovery, a process of wrestling with who he truly is. While there is room for honest exploration, there is also an urgency: the window to respond to Jesus’ invitation is not open forever.

We looked at the example of Herod, a man who was fascinated by Jesus, perplexed by his miracles, and even enjoyed listening to John the Baptist. Yet, Herod never moved beyond curiosity. He kept the message of God at arm’s length, considering it but never acting on it. When Herod finally stood face-to-face with Jesus, Jesus was silent—a sobering reminder that persistent indecision and hardened hearts can lead to a point where God’s gracious invitation is withdrawn. The call is clear: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Delaying obedience, presuming upon God’s grace, or seeking a relationship with Jesus on our own terms is dangerous.

We also saw Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ of God.” This is not just a title; it is the recognition that Jesus is the promised King, the suffering servant, the one who would bring justice, peace, and healing to the world. The Old Testament prophecies—Isaiah 42, Daniel 7, Isaiah 53—paint a picture of a Messiah who would not only rule but also suffer and die in our place, bearing our sins so that we might have peace with God. The resurrection is the vindication of this mission: Jesus is alive, and his kingdom is everlasting.

Ultimately, every person will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord—either now, as a friend, or later, as a foe. The invitation is to respond now, in faith and repentance, to the grace that is offered. This is not about empty ritual or intellectual curiosity, but about surrendering to the one who gave everything for us. Jesus is not interested in being Lord of a small window of our lives; he is Lord of all, and he calls us to yield every part of ourselves to him. The time to respond is now.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The question “Who do you say that I am?” is not just for the disciples, but for every person. Jesus invites us to explore, to ask, and to seek, but ultimately, each of us must answer for ourselves. No one else can make this confession on our behalf, and the answer shapes our eternity. [21:53]
• 2. Curiosity about Jesus is not the same as faith. Herod was fascinated, even entertained, by the message of God, but he never repented or surrendered. Persistent indecision and a refusal to act on what we know can lead to spiritual deafness, where even when Jesus stands before us, he may remain silent. [35:34]
• 3. The urgency of responding to Jesus cannot be overstated. The window of opportunity to seek the Lord may close before we expect—sometimes even before our lives end. God is not obligated to keep offering us chances; his grace is a gift, not a guarantee. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” [37:27]
• 4. Jesus is the Christ of God—the promised King, the suffering servant, and the Son of Man who brings justice and peace. The truth of who Jesus is does not depend on popular opinion or cultural consensus; it is rooted in the reality of his life, death, and resurrection, fulfilling the ancient prophecies and offering hope to all nations. [49:47]
• 5. The cross is not just a historical event, but a personal invitation. Jesus bore our sins, suffered in our place, and rose again so that we might have peace with God. The only fitting response is repentance, faith, and surrender—yielding every part of our lives to his lordship, not just in word but in action. [63:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:19] - Introduction to Luke and Investigating Jesus
• [21:53] - The Central Question: Who Do You Say That I Am?
• [23:30] - Invitation to Explore and the Urgency of Answering
• [25:46] - Eternal Consequences of Our Answer
• [27:43] - Herod’s Perplexity and the Opinions About Jesus
• [31:40] - Herod’s Curiosity and Inaction
• [33:39] - Herod Meets Jesus: Silence as Judgment
• [35:34] - The Danger of Perpetual Curiosity
• [37:27] - The Urgency of Obedience and the Closing Window
• [47:29] - Mocking Jesus by Withholding Lordship
• [49:47] - Peter’s Confession: The Christ of God
• [52:27] - The Messiah in Prophecy: Isaiah and Daniel
• [57:36] - The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53
• [63:05] - The Cross, Resurrection, and the Call to Surrender
• [67:07] - Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

Luke 9:7-22 (ESV) — 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

18 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?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 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

1. What were some of the different opinions people had about Jesus in this passage? ([27:43])
2. How did Herod respond when he heard about Jesus and his miracles? What was his attitude? ([27:43])
3. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”, how did Peter answer? ([49:47])
4. According to Jesus, what would happen to the “Son of Man”? ([54:17])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” instead of just telling them directly who he was? What does this reveal about how Jesus invites people to faith? ([21:53])
2. Herod was curious about Jesus and liked listening to John the Baptist, but he never acted on what he heard. What does this teach about the difference between curiosity and real faith? ([35:34])
3. The sermon said that the window of opportunity to respond to Jesus can close before we expect. What are some reasons people might delay responding to Jesus, and what are the dangers of waiting? ([37:27])
4. Peter confessed that Jesus is “the Christ of God.” What does this title mean, and why is it important that Jesus is both the promised King and the suffering servant? ([49:47])

Application Questions

1. Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” is personal and unavoidable. If Jesus asked you this today, how would you answer honestly? Is your answer based on what others say, or your own conviction? ([21:53])
2. Herod enjoyed hearing about God but never surrendered or repented. Are there areas in your life where you are keeping Jesus at arm’s length—interested, but not willing to obey or surrender? What would it look like to move from curiosity to commitment? ([35:34])
3. The sermon warned that delaying obedience or presuming on God’s grace is dangerous. Is there something you sense God is calling you to do or change, but you keep putting it off? What is holding you back? ([37:27])
4. Peter’s confession was not just words—it was a recognition of who Jesus truly is. In what ways does your life reflect (or not reflect) that Jesus is Lord over every part of your life, not just a small window? ([47:29])
5. The cross is described as a personal invitation, not just a historical event. How does knowing that Jesus suffered and died for you personally affect the way you approach him today? ([01:03:05])
6. The sermon said that every person will one day confess that Jesus is Lord—either now as a friend, or later as a foe. How does this truth impact the urgency or seriousness with which you follow Jesus? ([01:03:05])
7. Is there a specific step of faith, repentance, or surrender you feel prompted to take after hearing this message? How can the group support you in taking that step? ([01:07:07])