Who Is Jesus? Confessing Christ, Son of the Living God

After a year spent tracing the life and work of Jesus, the question remains unavoidable: Who is Jesus, and what will be done with Him? Set against the backdrop of Caesarea Philippi—a marketplace of idols and competing spiritual claims—Jesus pressed the question, “Who do you say that I am?” Culture then, as now, could praise Him as teacher, prophet, or moral leader, yet avoid the claim at the center: Jesus declared Himself to be the Son of God and the only way to the Father. He did not present Himself as one option among many. He identified Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, staking an exclusive claim that demands a personal verdict.

Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—was formed by everything he had seen and heard: arresting teaching, fearless courage, and a cascade of miracles that no mere man could perform. The early church sang what Philippians 2 preserves: Jesus, “being in very nature God,” took on flesh, embraced the path of servanthood, and humbled Himself to death—even death on a cross. That descent explains the ascent: therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, granting Him the name above every name, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

This truth is not for admiration alone—it calls for worship and imitation. If Jesus leveraged absolute authority to stoop in love, then those who acknowledge Him as Lord must adopt His mindset: humility over self-importance, service over status, obedience over preference. Recognizing who He truly is brings deep assurance: sins fully forgiven, a secure future with God, and a living connection to the risen Christ. The call is clear and personal: not “What do others say?” but “Who do you say Jesus is?” The ancient confession still stands at the waters of baptism and in daily discipleship: “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Real love requires a real choice. Now is the time to answer.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is not one option. Jesus’ self-claims leave no neutral ground. To call Him a teacher while denying His deity is intellectually inconsistent and spiritually evasive. If He is the way, truth, and life, then pluralism is not humble—it is mistaken. The only humble posture before such a claim is honest surrender. [35:44]
• 2. Confession clarifies ultimate allegiance. “Who do you say I am?” exposes competing loyalties and cherished self-rules. Confession is not mere words; it is the re-centering of the heart on the true King. It names reality: Jesus is Lord—and I am not. That clarity becomes the doorway to a new life. [38:45]
• 3. Worship flows from the incarnation. If He is “in very nature God” who stooped to serve and to die, then worship is the most reasonable response. Worship is more than songs; it is a whole-life yielding to the One who withheld nothing. Adoration grows where the cross is not merely observed but received. [42:12]
• 4. Humility leads to exaltation and mission. The Father exalted the Son precisely because He embraced the path of self-giving love. Those who belong to Him adopt His mindset—considering others first, taking the servant’s towel, choosing the cross over comfort. Mission advances through lives shaped by His humility. [51:45]
• 5. Assurance rests on the risen Son. Because Jesus died for sins and rose, forgiveness is complete and future hope is secure. Confidence is not presumption; it is trust in His finished work and faithful promises. This assurance frees believers to live boldly and repent quickly, anchored in grace. [55:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:09] - History centers on Jesus
• [32:41] - Street-level opinions of Jesus
• [35:44] - The exclusivity of Christ’s claim
• [38:45] - Peter’s bold confession
• [42:12] - Christ hymn: Very nature God
• [45:18] - Son of God claims examined
• [48:28] - Transfiguration: Father’s confirmation
• [51:45] - Exalted to the highest place
• [55:07] - The promises we can trust
• [58:24] - The good confession and baptism
• [61:23] - Closing prayer of surrender

Bible reading

- Philippians 2:5-11

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- Matthew 16:13-17

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 replied, “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.”

- John 14:6

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Observation questions

1. In Matthew 16, where does Jesus ask His question and what “street-level” answers do the disciples report hearing about Him? How does that line up with the mix of views people still have today? [32:41]
2. In Matthew 16:16, list the exact titles Peter uses for Jesus. How does Jesus respond to Peter’s confession in verses 17-18?
3. In John 14:6, what are the three “I am” claims Jesus makes, and what exclusive line does He add?
4. In Philippians 2:5-11, trace the “downward” steps Jesus took and the “upward” response from the Father. What verbs mark His humility and His exaltation?

Interpretation questions

1. Why does it matter that Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” in a place filled with competing gods and altars? How does that backdrop challenge the idea that Jesus is just “one option among many”? [35:44]
2. If “every knee” will bow and “every tongue” will confess Jesus as Lord, what does that say about ultimate allegiance now? What does it practically mean to say, “You are God—and I am not”? [51:45]
3. Philippians 2 shows Jesus “in very nature God,” yet taking the path of servanthood and the cross. What does this teach about how true authority is used in God’s kingdom? [42:12]
4. If Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life,” how should that shape conversations with friends of other beliefs as well as the choices a believer makes when pressured to blend in? [35:44]

Application questions

1. Personal verdict: If Jesus asked you right now, “Who do you say I am?”, what would you confess out loud? What, if anything, still keeps you from Peter’s words: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”? [38:45]
2. Competing loyalties: Where do you notice a tug-of-war between “my way” and “Your way”? Name one area this week where you will say, “Jesus is Lord—and I am not,” and act on it. [51:45]
3. Whole-life worship: Worship is more than singing; it’s yielding. What is one concrete place to yield—schedule, money, apology, forgiveness, screen time—because Jesus stooped for you? Decide one step for this week. [42:12]
4. Humility on mission: Where can you pick up the servant’s towel in the next seven days—at home, work, school, or church? Choose a simple act (serve, listen, encourage, give, stay anonymous) and share your plan. [51:45]
5. The exclusivity of Jesus: Where are you living as if Jesus is one option among many—especially in morals, relationships, or career decisions? What does honest surrender look like in that specific spot? [35:44]
6. Assurance anchored in Christ: Which sin, regret, or fear still haunts you? What promise from Jesus’ finished work will you hold onto this week, and what step of repentance or reconciliation will you take? [55:07]
7. The good confession and baptism: If you haven’t been baptized as a believer, what is your honest hesitation? If you have, how will you renew your good confession this week—perhaps by sharing your story or memorizing Matthew 16:16? [58:24]