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by Pastor Fred G. Zaspel
In Matthew 16:13-17 we read the following conversation between Jesus and his disciples.
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 answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
I am sure that when people of Jesus’ day said that they thought he was John the Baptist or Elijah or Jeremiah, they meant to be generous and complimentary. They were being respectful. After all, it was an honorable thing to be numbered among the great prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus Himself said that John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets. To be identified with them would be an honor indeed!
Isn’t it interesting, then, that Jesus was not impressed by their answer? He was not flattered. He was not satisfied at all with their answers, respectful as they were. Why? Because Jesus is not a prophet among other prophets. He is in a class by himself, and no human category, no matter how respectable, is worthy of him. And so our Lord pushed the question. And not until Peter acknowledged him as the Divine Messiah from heaven did he find the answer acceptable.
You will hear similar answers today. Ask people today “Who is Jesus?” and you will hear very similar things. They may say he was a great prophet. They may say he was a great teacher. They may say he was a great example. And so he was! Or they may place him in a respectable category of religious leaders such a Mohammed, Budah, Confucious. In any of a number of ways people often refer to Jesus as a man like other men — with superior qualities in significant areas, of course, but in the final analysis, a man on the level of other men.
But you see, we must not be taken in by it. We must keep in mind that it is entirely possible to have an honorable opinion of the Lord Jesus which is nonetheless wrong. An honorable opinion, but not honorable enough. Not until, like Peter, we acknowledge Jesus’ uniqueness and recognize Him worshipfully as the Lord from Heaven do we give Him the honor and reverence that is due Him.
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