Tuesday, June 30, 2026
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16
A New Identity
The scripture above takes place at Caesarea Philippi where Jesus is with his disciples. Caesarea Philippi but also the moment we proclaim Jesus as Lord we all get a new name – new identity in him. He changes us immediately. Peter then realized who Jesus was after he obeyed him and he called Jesus Lord instead of “Master” (boss). Obedience changes us forever and our perspective of Jesus.
Jesus and the disciples were in Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus asked them two very important questions: “Who do people say that I am,” and “Who do you say that I am?” The disciples had been with Jesus for three years, living with him, eating with him, learning from him and watching him perform signs and wonders. They had even been sent out on their own, two by two, to do the work Jesus had taught them, but they had yet to proclaim that Jesus was truly the son of God.
When Jesus asked the disciples what people were saying about who he is, they answered with what they had heard - John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets. Then Jesus personalized the question and directed it at the disciples - “But you, he asked them, who do you say that I am?” Peter answered You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
As soon as Peter uttered the words Jesus responded: Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah. v17-20
Peter realized who Jesus was from the moment Jesus called him to be a disciple. In the passage from Pastor Jim’s message this past Sunday, Jesus gave Peter a simple command and Peter obeyed resulting in a miracle that helped them see that Jesus had to be the Lord. Peter obeyed Jesus’ command and then stepped out in obedience to follow him as a disciple. In that moment in scripture when Peter realized that Jesus was the Lord he is referred to as Simon Peter - a little foreshadowing of what happened at Caesarea Philippi.
The disciples knew who Jesus was but they had not proclaimed it. When Peter proclaimed it his whole life changed - not just his name. When we become followers of Jesus we don’t just get a new name, but we get a whole new identity as well as a new family. That new identity cancels out every lie of the enemy about who you really are.
Jesus asks this same question of all who come to him. We answer this question with our lives - how we act and treat others, what we say and what we do. What we believe to be true about Jesus will be evident in the way we live our lives. That also means that if we acknowledge him as Lord of our lives we will trust and obey. If we love him we will keep his commandments, as well as following in obedience every step of the way. If you love me, you will keep my commands. John 14:15
Who is Jesus in your life? Do you trust him with some areas but not others?
