Jesus’ Secret Identity

ALL – Psalm 72:1-20
ALL – Proverbs 12:8-9
OT – Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
NT – Luke 9:7-27

Did you know that there are “748 total causes of symptom Confusion”? When I googled “types of confusion” today, the first website that was listed in the search results list was www.wrongdiagnosis.com, and the little description under it is where I found this interesting bit of trivia. “748 total causes of symptom Confusion.” That’s a lot of opportunities to be confused.

But I’m guessing there’s one cause that’s not listed on this website: sinful refusal to believe the truth.

As Jesus continued his ministry a couple thousand years ago, people began to take a guess at His identity. So he went to the disciples and asked them what they were hearing:

One day as he was alone, praying, with his disciples nearby, he came over and asked them, “Who are the people saying I am?” – Luke 9:18, The Living Bible

There were plenty of guesses, plenty of ideas—and plenty of confusion. No one really knew Jesus’ identity. But then Jesus asked His disciples another question.

Then he asked them, “Who do you think I am?” Peter replied, “The Messiah—the Christ of God!” – Luke 9:20, The Living Bible

Jesus let His disciples know that they were right. He is the Christ. He is the Son of God. And in Matthew we read that His identity was revealed to them by God.

But the confusion over His identity is still going on. 2000 years later, people are still taking wild, confusing guesses at who Jesus really is/was. These confusing guesses keep happening despite the fact that God has revealed Jesus’ identity not just to Peter and the apostles, but to the whole world. In Romans we learn how God revealed Jesus’ identity to the entire world: Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4, NIV).

We are approaching Easter—Resurrection Sunday. Because of the resurrection, there is no real reason to be confused about Jesus' identity--apart from sinful refusal to believe the truth. Are you confused about who Jesus is? Do you know anyone who’s still confused? Take this annual opportunity to point yourselves and your neighbors to God’s perfect revelation of Jesus’ otherwise secret identity. Show them how Jesus’ resurrection declares that He is the Christ, the Son of God.

What would keep you from revealing Jesus’ identity?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.