When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” I believe that He already knew the answer to that question. There is no doubt that He knew who He was. Nonetheless, He asked the question anyway. However, the problem with asking this question is that the answer would be based on people’s assumptions, ideas, perceptions, experiences and a reputation that has been perceived—not necessarily reality, or actuality. Other people’s opinions of Jesus was just that, they were opinions based on perceptions that were concluded by a reputation that had been concluded by their own perceptions.
Assumptions, perceptions and opinions aren’t necessarily reality. However, they definitely can be thought of as such. Jesus in asking the question, knew what others were saying about Him. He knew how others perceived him. Nevertheless, he asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am.” But the disciples answered with what others said, “Some say that you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah and some say, Jeremiah.” and the Jesus said, “But who do you say that I am?” And of course Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
Jesus answered the Peter was correct and that he was blessed because know what taught him that, but that Jesus Father had revealed that to him. It wasn’t flesh or blood or reasoning or personal perception that had revealed that to Peter—it was God. You see our opinions and perceptions are not as important as what God is saying or what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. We can have an opinion, but it’s just an opinion. Others can have an opinion, but it’s just an opinion. All of our perceptions and opinions are formulated through many sources and variables.
Jesus knew who he was and he knew who and where he had come from—His Father in heaven. It’s important to know who you are. Not what others say about you, but who you really are. The person you really are, because that’s who God knows and that’s who God loves. The real you! God really knows us and He loves us unconditionally. Have you ever had someone say something about you and you say or think, “That’s not true! That’s not who I am.” Jesus probably thought the same thing, especially when they called Him a blasphemer or Beelzebub.
If we asked God who He says we are He would say that you are forgiven, justified, righteous, redeemed and holy. He would say that you are a new creation in Christ. He would say that you are a work of progress that is continually being shaped in to His image. You see it’s not as important as what others say as it is what you say. Don’t say what God is not saying and don’t always believe what others may say either. What you say and what others say aren’t as important as what God and His word is saying. Our opinions and others opinions are based on perceptions, assumptions and opinions, but what God and His word says is the eternal truth and it is our compass for receiving acceptance and wholeness. Allow God and His word to reveal to you who you are in Him.