Conclusion: "But Whom Say Ye That I Am?"

❦

Midway through his ministry, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples a question that every reader of the Gospels must eventually answer. "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15-16).

We have followed his life from Bethlehem to Calvary and beyond. We have listened to him teach in parables, in the Sermon on the Mount, and in the Upper Room. We have considered the claims he made about himself, the works he did, and the testimony of those who knew him. The writers of the Gospels did not expect us to admire him from a distance. John says: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31).

Jesus still makes the invitation: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). And he made a promise to those who follow him: "and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:20).

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)