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

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Never Abandoned in the Storm' (Acts 27:39-41)
"[After battling a fierce storm for two weeks, Paul had the people on board the ship take nourishment.] When morning dawned, they didn't recognize the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord's Great Love'
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Osteen:
"It's great to be young and dream the dream, but it's better to be old and to see that the dream is true!"
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Obey and Be Pure, Internalizing Scripture'
"How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word. With all my heart I try to obey you. Don’t let me break your commands. I have taken..."

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!