Who Is Jesus? (Luke 9:18-22)

Sermon Summary

Pastor David Yan

22 September 2024

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Jesus drew multitudes to himself. His impact was immense. This demands attention. Who is Jesus?

Jesus asked his disciples who the crowds thought he was. The crowds had replied that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets come back to life. They believed in the Old Testament and the prophets. They believed in an after-life. They knew Jesus was someone special. Salvation comes through the Jews.

Jesus then asked his disciples who did they say he was. Peter answered on their behalf. He said Jesus was the Christ of God, the Messiah.

This response was given by revelation. It came not through human ability but through divine grace, that is, by revelation.

Jesus instructs his disciples to tell no one about this revelation. There was the possibility that the multitude seize Jesus and make him the earthly king of Israel. But Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one.

Although the disciples now understood Jesus was the Christ of God, yet they lacked further understanding of what Jesus came to do.

Jesus therefore speaks of his coming sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension. Biblical revelation is progressive in nature. Not everything was shown at once to the disciples. Not everything is revealed to us.

The question remains. Who is Jesus? The Bible teaches he is the Son of God come from heaven. He was born of a virgin, died on a cross, rose from death, ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to bear testimony to him.

John’s gospel tells us what we should do. John writes that readers may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). Read John’s gospel. Believe on the Lord Jesus to have life. Jesus is the Messiah.