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March 20, 2026 – Who Do You Say That I Am?

Isaiah 43:9-10 – All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

Scripture Reading – Matthew 16:13-23; 27:45-56

Isaiah 43 is prophesying Israel’s only Savior. Israel was God’s chosen people, the ones whom he literally saved when he brought them out of Egypt. We see throughout the Old Testament that God continually reminded them of this truth, that he alone offers redemption and is worthy of their fidelity and devotion. However, Israel’s actions often fell short of worshiping the great I AM (Ex. 3:14). “AM” is the translation of the Hebrew word, hayah, meaning “to be.” In other words, God eternally exists. He isn’t created, he created all things and holds all things together. God not only told Israel who he was, he showed them.

Similarly, before Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:15), Who did Jesus say he was? The Greek equivalent of hayah is eimi, and is how Jesus describes himself – I AM Messiah (John 4:25-26); the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51); the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5); the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9); the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14); the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); the true vine (John 15:1). 

Peter replied to Jesus’s question, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt 16:16). Just as God did with Israel, Jesus not only said who he was, but he showed the world. We see part of this in Matthew 27:45-56 when Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross, and later when we read of his resurrection and then Jesus becoming the firstfruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). This begs two more questions – How do you answer Jesus’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” And, what does your answer say about who you are? Sharing the gospel isn’t just sharing biblical facts. It’s giving witness of the good news that because of who Christ is and what he has done, you are now a new creation, righteous, redeemed, fully known, fully loved through faith in him.

Further reading: John 4:1-42; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Philippians 2:1-11; Revelation 1:8, 22:13

Reflection Questions:

1.     How do you answer Jesus’s question, “Who do you say that I am?”

2.     What does your answer say about who you are? How does that compel you to share your testimony and the good news with others?

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the great I AM, the one who was, who is, and is to come. Thank you for loving me enough to come to earth as a man to become the Savior and Redeemer, the way, the truth, and the life. Because of you I am a new creation, redeemed and can now have eternal life with you. Give me opportunities and a courageous faith to bear witness to all you have done. Amen.


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