What Manner of Man Is This?

“Whom say ye that I am?” – Matthew 16:15

We read in the four Gospels that when people heard about Jesus, they often asked, “Who is this man?” Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, records that Jesus asked His disciples what people believed about Him. Then He got more personal and asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered correctly, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus said that knowledge had been revealed to Peter by God himself.

Jesus was the Messiah, but not everyone would acknowledge His divinity. Nevertheless, even to those who would not accept Him, Jesus' testimony remained true. Consider this list of men whose responses to Jesus' testimony are recorded in the Bible: Nicodemus, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, and the Roman Centurion. They came from varied backgrounds and positions in society, yet none of them could disagree with Jesus' life and teachings.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and Pharisees often denied Jesus' teachings, calling them blasphemous. However, even before Jesus explained salvation to Nicodemus, he confessed, “We know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus knew there was something different about Jesus, and when He realized who Jesus was, he received salvation.

Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' disciples, but betrayed Him to Jewish rulers for thirty pieces of silver. In spite of those actions, before killing himself Judas admitted what he truly believed about Jesus, saying, “I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4).

Pontius Pilate was a Roman Governor and wanted to appease the Jews under his authority. After hearing the Jews' accusations, he examined Jesus thoroughly, but could find no fault in Him. He saw no justification for the Jews' indictment. In the end, Pilate told the Jews that Jesus' Blood would be on their own hands, stating, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27:24).

Even the Roman soldiers who administered Jesus' death recognized that He was more than just a man. They watched Jesus die on the Cross, and after He gave up the ghost the centurion in charge said, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Today, as in Jesus' day, questions and speculations as to who Jesus is are common. Our focus verse is a question that each person must answer at some point—Who is Jesus to me? If we will allow Him, God will reveal to each one of us that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Let us thank Him today for who He is, and for the sacrifice He made for our salvation.