What Jesus Did! 'Who He Is!' — Matthew 16:13-14

Saturday, August 2, 2025

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

— Matthew 16:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

As believers, we know who Jesus is in the Gospel of Matthew. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is the Christ. He is Lord. He is Son of God.

Isn't it amazing, however, how people in Jesus' own day tried to lump him in as just another great religious teacher very much like many try to do today. But human speculation can never live up to heavenly revelation. God has revealed himself in Jesus. We either accept God's identification of Jesus, or we reject both Jesus and God.

In an age and culture of pluralism, that sounds awfully closed minded. But neither our reputation nor our repudiation is of consequence in comparison with rejecting or accepting God's revelation about himself.

Today's Prayer

Holy and matchless God, thank you for your Sovereign choice to send Jesus as my Savior and Lord, your promised Messiah, the Christ. I boldly and unashamedly confess Jesus as Lord and thank you for sending him to save me from my sin and myself. Thank you so much, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Can Jesus Survive Religion's Failures?
Article by Rubel Shelly
How has Jesus survived the messes his followers have made over the centuries? Jesus and the gospel message about Jesus continues to be more resilient than the failures, foibles, and fractures among his people.
Catch and Release: One
Article by Phil Ware
Don't you hate to have to choose! Phil Ware talks about Jesus' identity, our reluctance to choose, and how we have to choose one way or the other about Jesus' identity.
Church?
Article by Phil Ware
Do I really have to go to church? Phil Ware challenges us to think about how we view church and asks how we can make it a gathering of people committed to the Kingdom of God.
Who Do YOU Say I Am?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
At a place with great spiritual and physical significance, Jesus challenged his followers to decide about his identity. James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us to answer the same question Jesus asked his first followers at Caesarea Philippi: 'Who do you say I am?'
See All 6 Related Resources about Matthew 16:13-14

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 16:13-14 NLT — "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, August 2, 2025

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'A Long Gaze into Glory' (Ac. 7:55)
"[Just before Stephen was stoned:] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Fields and Crops Burst Out with Joy'
"Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, "The Lord reigns!" Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Heartbreaking Reality' (Acts 9:36-37)
"There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Pentecost!'
"Dear Disciple, A new era began after My resurrection. On the day of Pentecost, I poured out the Holy Spirit first on My closest disciples. Then I..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!