On one occasion, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:15-18). Jesus wasn’t asking out of insecurity or seeking human validation. He knows exactly who He is. The question was for them. And it’s for us. Because how we answer that question shapes everything: the way we live, the way we relate to others, and most importantly, where we’ll spend eternity.

When Jesus revealed Himself as the Savior of the world, many were hoping for a Messiah who would revolutionize the political landscape – one who would shatter the yoke of Roman oppression and restore Israel’s kingdom to its former glory. They longed for a ruler who would ascend a throne, not embrace a cross. But then Jesus began saying things like, “Love your enemies”, “Bless those who curse you”, “Pray for those who persecute you”, and “If someone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.” This was not the rhetoric of a conqueror. And so, many walked away because they couldn’t reconcile their agenda with His mission. This is what happens when we approach Jesus with our own plans, expecting Him to fulfill our desires rather than surrendering to His will.

Jesus came to change the world – but not through political upheaval or military conquest. His revolution was personal, not sociopolitical. He came to transform hearts, not systems. He didn’t impose His will; He offered Himself in love. And what He desires most is our brokenness – our wounded, weary hearts – so He can make them whole.

To some, Jesus is merely “a good man.” Philosophers compare Him to Aristotle. Muslims revere Him as a prophet. Others are content with a wooden cross hanging silently on a wall. For the highly religious, He threatens tradition. For the secular, He offends autonomy. But for the millions who have followed Him – then and now – He remains the only way to the Father, the only truth, and the only path to eternal life.


And if you asked me, I would say that He is my Lord and Savior, the One who gave meaning to my life, dignity and a new opportunity to do things right. He fills me with hope every day to keep going. He is simply the love of my life.

When Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, he was voicing a divine revelation – not human insight, but truth revealed by God Himself. And Jesus affirmed that this very revelation would become the rock – the foundation – upon which the Christian faith would be built. He wasn’t referring to Peter as the cornerstone of an institution. He wasn’t appointed as first pope or given the keys to establish a religious hierarchy, none of that is found in the Bible. The foundation was Peter’s confession: the truth of who Jesus is. In ancient architecture, the cornerstone was the first stone laid that served as reference point to align every other part of the structure. Ephesians 2:20 confirms this: “Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.” Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world – and that truth is the bedrock of the Gospel.

There are countless paths that promise peace – philosophies, ideologies, and spiritual movements that claim to offer freedom. But only Jesus can deliver it – here, now, and for eternity. When we look at spiritual leaders – Buddhas, Dalai Lamas, prophets from various religions – we find that none of them ever claimed to be God in the flesh as Jesus did. They couldn’t. Only Jesus bore our sins. Only He chose the cross. Only He can save the world – because only He gave Himself for it.

If we claim to know who Jesus is, then the next step is to do what He says. The Bible wasn’t written for those who ignore it – it was written for those of us who read it. So, when Jesus says, “Love your enemies,” don’t say you don’t have any. He knows we do and tells us exactly how to treat them. When He says, “Do not lie,” perhaps we’re on the verge of deception. If He speaks to us about pride, it’s time to humble ourselves. When we open the Bible and read, “Do not judge,” it’s because we’re already judging. If He says, “Straighten your path,” it’s because it’s crooked. If God says one thing and we say another – guess who’s right.

We sin every day, whether through our actions, our words, or even our thoughts. That’s why we need a Savior every day of our lives. But the good news is, the Lord is on our side – full of grace and ready to forgive, if we repent. Ezekiel 33:12 says, “The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness.” This means our righteousness cannot save us. We have to stop pretending to be “the good ones,” the righteous, the just. If we justify ourselves by our good intentions, our good efforts, or our good deeds, we miss out on God’s salvation and eternal life.

The Bible says this about Jesus, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). He was there from the beginning of Creation, when God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Long before He came as the Savior of the world, He was already there – establishing the foundations of the earth alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit.

These are some of the names Scripture uses to describe who Jesus is:

He is the Christ, the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief, the Savior of the world, Son of the Most High God, the only begotten Son of God, the image of God, Redeemer, Advocate, the Amen, the High Priest, the Morning Star, the Rose of Sharon, the right hand and strong arm of God, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Author of eternal salvation, the Beginning of creation, the Bread of Life, the Captain of salvation, the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Holy One of Israel, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Cornerstone, the Rock, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty, Deliverer, the Desire of Nations, Prince of Peace, the Unshakable Rock, Prince of Life, Healer, our Passover, the Door, Head of the Church, Heir of all things, Emmanuel – God with us, Judge, King of all ages, King of the Jews, King of the saints, King of glory, Eternal King, King of righteousness, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Giver of the Word, the Word, the Lamb of God, the slain Lamb, the Light of the world, the Anointed One of God, the Beloved, the Bridegroom of the Church, Messenger of the eternal covenant, Refining Fire, Path of righteousness, the Messiah, the Resurrection and the Life, the only Mediator between God and man, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

And now Jesus turns to you and asks: “What about you – who do you say that I am?”