Cortez: Who do we say that Jesus is?

IN THIS Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), Jesus asked his disciples, “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” In Mark’s version of the story, the question was more direct, “who do people say that I am? (Mark 8:27B).”

The replies were varied. Names floated in the air – John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Although we know that the answers were incorrect, a notable insight is formed. Jesus was not John the Baptist, nor was he Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets, but he was of the same, or similar, mold as these great men of faith − men who preceded him in the earthly ministry. Although radical in his many teachings, Jesus was perceived by the people as one who belonged to this respectable group of Godly workers. His works were a continuation of, not a break away from the works of these prominent figures in salvation history. Jesus’ works and teachings were, in fact, greater than the works and teachings of all these men combined; he brought to fulfillment what many of them simply foreshadowed.

Next, in the gospel reading, Jesus directed the question to the disciples themselves. “But who do you say that I am?” To us believers in the modern world, the same question remains relevant, “Who do we say that Jesus is?”

Many would say that Jesus is the Creator. They will cite the first chapter of Genesis from which we read how God created everything, most especially us, human beings, who were fashioned in his image and likeness. Although creation is often attributed to the Father, our Trinitarian faith affirms the existence of three Persons in One God and the wholeness of the Divine nature in any of these persons. Creation was through Jesus and for Jesus. As St. Paul, in his Letter to the Colossians (Chapter 1, verse 16), writes, “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.”

A large number of people will also say that Jesus is the Provider, citing the popular verse, “And my God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Others would emphasize Jesus as the Divine Healer, banking on the gospels that tell us how he went around the villages healing all kinds of diseases, just as foretold, “With his wounds, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).” Yes, Jesus healed the blind, deaf and mute; the maimed and the crippled, the leper, the hemorrhagic and the feverish, and just every sick person who asked him for healing.

Jesus is also perceived as the Master Teacher. He preached about the kingdom of God in synagogues and natural settings. He spoke in parables (Matthew 13:34) and he taught the people as one with authority (Matthew 7:29).

To many people, Jesus is also the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), the True Vine ( John 15:1), the Immanuel or the God who is with us (Isaiah 7:14), the Judge (Acts 10:42), the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), the Door (John 10:9), the Chief Cornerstone (Psalms 118:22) and the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22), the Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelations 19:16).

All of these identities of Jesus are true, and this is so because of the truth behind the confession of Peter in the gospel. Answering Jesus’ question of who the disciples say he is, Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).” Jesus becomes everything good we think of him to be because of this very reason: “He is the Son of the Living God.” He is, thus, God himself. All his authority, power, character, essence and being stem from this basic nature of who he is. Jesus is God who took the form of sinful man to die for our sins, that we may inherit eternal life in heaven. Jesus is our Messiah, our God who saves. Jesus is the cornerstone of our Christian faith upon which his Church stands, assured that the gates of hell will never prevail against it.

Now, who do we say that Jesus is?

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