Not long ago a celebrity was arrested for driving while intoxicated. As the officer slapped on the cuffs she, now infamously, blurted, “Don’t you know who I am!?” She actually thought her celebrity earned her a free pass when it comes to breaking the law! Her response was sinful arrogance and pride. That’s the problem for famous people; they are elevated to such high circles that they sometimes believe their own hype. Unfortunately, that’s the problem with many of your average Joe as well. Some people can think they are better than others, and worse, even better than God. That’s because they don’t know Him.
They may have preconceived thoughts about God…. He’s a genie who is supposed to answer all our prayers the way WE think He should answer…. He is a mean God who takes away the people we love and allows all kinds of bad things in the world…He doesn’t exist….and if He does, so what…. that’s the train of thought of those of the world.
But the King of kings, Jesus Christ, who is God, is different. He once humbly inquired of his disciple, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Peter replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Matt. 16:13b-14 You see the people who would be thought to be the Son of Man had a much longer track record than Jesus, the Man on earth. And it was true that the scriptures had told them that those men would come back to life. While sighting godly men, the people failed to see that Jesus, although only 33 years old on earth, was really the God of old, the God of always. He always has been and always will be. (John 1:1) He wrestled with Jacob Gen (32: 22-31) and overheard Sarah laugh. (Gen 18:13). His fingerprints are all over the Old Testament! This is the thing…Jesus shows up where only eyes of faith can see Him.
He is the only One who can rightfully lay claim to His God-elevated status over our insignificant own asking, yes asking…. not pronouncing, not dictating, not adamantly proclaiming, but asking, face to face ,“Who do you say that I am?” Matt 16:15 I picture my Lord standing there. He’s looking Peter in the eyes, searching them. You see, it didn’t matter in that moment what anyone else thought about Him. He wanted to know what was in Peter’s heart.
God doesn’t sweat the thoughts of the world concerning Himself. He knows Who He is. He cares about those of us who will trust in Him. He asks of each of us, “Who do you say I am?” Peter said, "You are the Messiah." Mark 8:29 Messiah, Savior, Redeemer! In Jesus, Zeph. 3:15 says, “The Lord has taken away your punishment. He has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel is with you, never again will you fear any harm.” That’s my Savior! That’s your Savior…Jesus Christ!