Who Do You Say that I Am?

Who do you say that I am? This is the most important question of all time and history. Who is this man, Jesus? What are His claims? What did He do? What does He do today? As it was at that literal moment, so it is today. It takes God’s help to know who God is! It takes the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us who this glorious man Christ Jesus really is.

Upon entry into the district of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus began asking His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Some answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist; some say Elijah; and others say, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” Jesus then penetratingly, personalized the question, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon zealously announced, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then said, “Blessed are you, Simon, Son of Jonah. You see, flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Some said that Jesus was John the Baptist brought back from the dead. Perhaps they saw the power of proclamation and the piercing word of knowledge in operation of Jesus’ life like that of John’s. Others saw the comparison of the miracle working power in His life as was in the life of the prophet Elijah. They saw how He had power over the natural elements of the wind and the sea and remembered how Elijah took his cloak and would part the Jordan River to cross over. Yet others reflected on his tears, compassion and intercession and perceived that He was the embodiment of the weeping prophet Jeremiah.

WHO DO I SAY HAS SENT ME?

Who are you, God? What is your name? This is a question that Moses asked as God was about to send him forth to be His prophetic ambassador. “Who are you anyway?” “How will they believe that you have sent me?” “Who will I tell has sent me?” “By the way, what is Your name?”

In Exodus 3:13 we find Moses’ question, “Now they may say to me, “What is His name?” What shall I say to them?” The following verse states, “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; … “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.’ “

Moses was familiar with Egyptian habit of having a name for every god, so he was naturally anticipating this question. He was asking ahead of time to be prepared for what was on the horizon. God’s response in Hebrew is Eheyeh Asher Eheyeh. This can be translated, I am that (who or what) I am, or perhaps, I am the self-existent One; the Eternal, the One who always has been and always will be. This is shortened to I AM here, the Ever-present and Living One. It is equivalent to Jehovah the Eternal.

Over the past years, many have taught us about the compound names of God from the Old Testament. He is Jehovah NISSI – the Lord Our Banner (Ex. 17:15). He is Jehovah TSIDKENU – The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer. 23:56). How wonderful it is that He is Jehovah SHALOM – the Lord Our Peace (Jud. 8:23). He is Jehovah ROPHE – the Lord Who Heals (Ex. 15:22-26). He has revealed Himself as our Jehovah M’KADDESH – Jehovah Who Sanctifies (Lev. 20:8). Consider the meaning of Jehovah SHAMMAH – The Lord Who Is Always There (Ezek. 48:35)! The name Jehovah JIREH tells us that God’s provision will be seen (Gen. 22). He is Jehovah ROHI – the Lord Our Shepherd (Psalm 23)! You see, His names reveal His character.

God’s presence, power, and character are all contained within His names. The Bible is full of a great variety of God’s names. Let’s take a more detailed look at them.

THE NAMES OF THE SON OF GOD

I have discovered at least 140 different names in the Old and New Testaments combined describing the Son of God. For this study I am bringing you the 100 plus majestic names from the New Testament alone. Get to know who He says that He is. Then rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who Christ Jesus fully is.

A REVELATION OF WHO HE IS!

As you ponder upon the richness of who He says He is, it will change you! Meditate on His name. Let it sink deep inside of you. As this occurs, doubts and fears flee – and you will find that you are changed into the character of Christ Himself.

One of the great weapons of spiritual warfare is to exercise the authority of His name. We are to declare the wonders of His great name! Stake your all in His name and watch the enemy be driven off. As the disciples of old came to realize, so will you, “That demons are subject unto us at the power of His name!” We do not serve a God that is impersonal and unknown. But rather, He has made Himself known unto us through the revelation of His name.

But you will come to realize that there is even something greater than demons fleeing at the mention of His name. At His name the angels bow in prostration. At His name rulers and kings tremble and fear. At the whisper of His name, hard hearts are melted. There is only one who is worthy. It’s not us. It is Christ and Christ alone.

In a historic moment sometime in the future, every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! What an awesome occasion in history! The climax of all things is wrapped up in the loveliness of this one man – Christ Jesus Our Lord and the vindication of His name.

As you get to know the names of God and bask in the reality that He has given to you His name, you will be overcome with worship and deep affection. He has given us His name – Christian. What’s in a name? Oh, just a few things – authority, power, provision, identity, security, a relationship. Wear His name with honor. Declare the glory of His name to the ends of the earth. Boast in His name. For His name is great and greatly to be praised.

The names of Jesus are like a spiritual jackhammer to breakup anything in which we might attempt to have security or identity other than Jesus alone. The jealousy of God sometimes places special demands on us. He is not satisfied until the identities of His special names are placed deep within our own identity, until we find our total security and identity in only Him.

In recent years, I don’t prepare for meetings primarily by seeking to get a “word from the Lord” for a congregation, city or an individual who might be present. Rather, I attempt to simply seek God for God, and then let the Lord take care of the rest.

Our focus must faith toward God—not just having a ministry via a gift. We need to seek God for Him and Him alone. As we pick up His presence by communing with the King of Hearts, His name will be exalted and lifted up!

Declaring the Majesty of His Great Names!

James W. Goll

If you enjoyed this article, then you may also enjoy James Goll’s Spiritual Gifts Triple Bundle that includes the: Releasing Spiritual Gifts Today book, Impacting the World Through Spiritual Gifts Study Guide & the Supernatural Spiritual Gifts Today 2 Message Set.