In Matthew 16:15 (NIV) Jesus asked his disciples “But what about you? … Who do you say I am?” Since we are also His disciples, and His words are eternal, Jesus is asking the same question to all of us today: “Who do you say I am?”
The question invites us to consider who and how we perceive Him to be. The answer to the question is an expression of the nature of our relationship with God. The question encourages us to explore of our true relationship with Him. To move beyond intellectual knowledge to a greater revelation of His essence, presence and character.
While Peter’s answer, in Matthew 16:16 (NIV) “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” is correct, the question also invites a broader reflection on who He is us. It goes beyond mere words and titles to a personal testimony of how we know Him on an intimate level.
Ultimately, the question “Who do you say I am?” is a call to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. God invites each of us to enter into a personal relationship with Him. To pursue His presence and to get to know Him intimately.
The presence of God
Immanuel, God with us.
God is omnipresent. Psalm 139:7 (NLT) tells us “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” To be omnipresent means ‘present everywhere at the same time.’ All people on earth encounter the omnipresence of God. He is here, even if everyone does not realize or acknowledge Him.
At salvation, the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, comes to reside within us. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) promise “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” The indwelling of the Spirit is the presence of God all Christians receive at salvation.
We cannot alter the omnipresent or indwelling presence of God. His presence, in both instances, is an unchangeable fact. Nor can we increase or decrease it. Over and above that, God extends an invitation to us to pursue His presence. To come and spend time with Him. Our acceptance of this invitation influences the way we experience Him. In Psalm 27:8 (NLT) we read “My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
This is an invitation to move from a mere acquittance, to His friend, to His beloved, and a deeper oneness with God. It is a call to develop a deep-rooted, individual and more intimate relationship with Him. In Psalm 42:2 (NIV) the psalmist cries out “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” And in Psalm 63:1 (NLT) he declares “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you.”
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
When we accept God’s invitation to pursue Him, we experience His manifested presence. God’s manifest presence is the result of His interaction with us overtly and unmistakably. It is our sense of His presence that increases the more we spend time with Him. It transforms us. The result of this manifest presence of God in the lives of the disciples was a world turned upside-down. Acts of the Apostles 4:13 (NLT) states “They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” The same holds true for us today.
What do you think about Jesus?
We cannot separate our identity as Christians from Christ, because He is the core of Christianity. Hebrews 3:1 (MSG) reminds us “So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centrepiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.”
By spending time with Jesus, we get to know Him better.
Sometimes, Christians have more of a work relationship with God than a personal relationship. It might look like this: In need of provision – Dear Father, since You’re the Provider, please provide in my need. In need of redemption – Dear Jesus, as Redeemer of the world, please save me. In need of encouragement – Dear Holy Spirit, you are our Helper, please help me. God created Adam and Eve to have personal relationship with them.
Far more than our service or worship God desires friendship with us.
In John 15:15 (TPT) Jesus says “I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate and cherished friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father.”
Consider how do we move from a working relationship to friendship or a closer relationship with someone? We start by showing genuine interest in the other person, making ourselves available, and putting ourself out there in social situations with them. We engage in conversations, ask questions, and listen to what they say. We build on these connections by sharing personal experiences, offering help, and scheduling time to hang out. God is a real person. So why do we not approach our relationship with God in this way?
Make time to hang out with Jesus. Get to know Him.
God personally invites us to explore the wonders of His name and nature. To experience Him firsthand. Let’s taste and see (Psalm 34:8) for ourselves. Exalt Him as we get to know Him better. Isaiah 25:1a (NLT) proclaims “O Lord, I will honour and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things!”
Prayer: Dear God, I long to have a deep and meaningful relationship with You. I want to taste and see Your manifested presence in my life. You are always ready and willing to spend time with me. Please forgive me when I neglect to make time for our friendship. You are my most treasured friend. In Jesus name, Amen.
Names and attributes of God
Why should we study and know the different names of each person of the Trinity in Scripture? Andrew Murray wrote in his book ‘With Christ in the School of Prayer’: “What is a person‘s name? It is a word or expression in which a person is represented to us. When I mention or hear a name, it brings to mind the whole man, what I know of him, and also the impression he has made on me … His name is the symbol of his power. And so each name of God embodies and represents some part of the glory of the Unseen One. The name of Christ is the expression of everything He has done and everything He is and lives to do as our Mediator.”
We can only speak about what we know, and testify only to what we have experienced.
Knowing the names of God is important, because they tell us His character, attributes, and actions. Knowing fosters a deeper understanding, trust, and connection. It helps us to worship and relate to God more meaningfully. Studying the names and attributes of God will deepen our spiritual awareness and lead to experiencing a closer relationship with Him.
Who do you say I am?
Prayer: God, You are an Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6), generous in love (Psalm 100:5), that adopted me as your child (Ephesians 1:4) and now I am co-heir with Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:7) making me an heir of all Your promises (Galatians 3:29). You are a Forgiving Redeemer (1 John 2:1), eager to relent and not punish (Joel 2:13), who did not spare His own son (Romans 8:32) to pay the price to set me free (Isaiah 44:22). You own everything (Deuteronomy 10:14), yet you purchased me with the precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:20) of Your Beloved Son (Matthew 17:5). You are a Great and Awesome God (Daniel 9:4), Creator and Sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16-17), King over all (Zechariah 14:9), yet You sees me (Genesis 16:13). You count the stars and call them all by name (Psalm 147:4), yet You have written my name on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16). You are the Invincible Commander of heaven’s armies (Psalm 24:10), yet You order Your angels to protect me wherever I go (Psalm 91:11). You are a Mighty Warrior who saves me (Zephaniah 3:17), my Rescuing Knight (Psalm 144:2) and Master of my Breakthrough (2 Samuel 5:20). You are a breathing room for my soul (Psalm 62:6), a cave to hide in (Psalm 31:5), a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:19), a God I can depend on (Deuteronomy 7:9). You are life, life and more life (Isaiah 53). No one is like You, Lord, You are great, and Your name is mighty in power (Jeremiah 10:6). You are the Lord who is worthy to be praised (2 Samuel 22:4 NKJV). In Jesus name, Amen.
