The greatest question ever: Who is Jesus?

The greatest question ever asked was posed by Jesus in Caesarea Philippi. “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matthew 16:13) The right answer and the right response yields eternal life. The importance of believing on the real Jesus cannot be overstated. Believing on another Jesus will damn the soul. Believing on another Jesus is like a dying man taking the wrong prescription. It will not cure him but only hasten his death. Trusting another Jesus is like a drowning man grabbing the wrong rope. It will not save but only send him down to the grave.

Believing upon another yields eternal death. Only the true Jesus saves. A person cannot be wrong about the Savior and at the same time be saved by the Savior. Thankfully, the identity of Jesus is clearly displayed. The Book of Colossians provides theological definition and doctrinal clarity regarding the identity of Jesus. Colossians 1:15-18 details seven titles for Jesus.

The first title is that Jesus is deity. “He is the image of the invisible God….” (verse 15a) The word image is the Greek word icon. It means “representation.” He is the perfect representation of God the Father because He is God the Son. Only God could offer an infinite sacrifice upon the cross. All of your sins past, present and future were laid upon Jesus at Calvary.

The second title is that Jesus is sovereign. “…the firstborn over all creation…” (verse 15b). This does not mean that Jesus is the firstborn chronologically. Jesus has no beginning. It means that Jesus is the crown prince. He is the heir apparent. He is destined to rule all of creation in the messianic kingdom. He is intimately involved in all of creation including your life!

The third title is that Jesus is the creator. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth…. All things were created through Him and for Him” (verse 16). Jesus made everything. You were created for a relationship with Him. Meaning and purpose in life are found as you serve Jesus.

The fourth title is that Jesus is eternal. “And He is before all things….” (verse 17a) Jesus has no beginning and no ending. The prophet Micah predicted the birthplace of the Messiah seven centuries before His coming. Micah 5:2 reads, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem but that was not the beginning of His existence. Micah reminds us, “…whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” He came stepping out of eternity past already in existence. His perspective is infinite. Therefore, He has a plan for your life. You can trust that plan.

The fifth title is that Jesus is the sustainer. “…and in Him all things consist” (verse 17b). Jesus holds all things together. An oxygen molecule consists of eight protons and eight neutrons. The protons have a positive charge. The neutrons have no charge. An incredibly powerful force holds the protons together within the nucleus. Scientists have dubbed that force “the strong nuclear force” but have no explanation for why it exists. Karl Darrow, a physicist at AT&T Laboratories said, “Some inflexible inhibition is holding them relentlessly together. The nature of the inhibition is also a secret… one thus far reserved by nature for herself.” This strong nuclear force is Jesus.

Jesus holds your life together. Jesus holds your marriage together. Jesus holds your business together. He holds your church together. If Jesus withdrew His hand from creation everything would disintegrate in a moment.

The sixth title is that Jesus is Savior. “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…” (verse 18a). What does it mean that He is the head of the body? It means that Jesus provides life. He provided physical life at creation. He provides spiritual life through His death upon the cross. To be rightly connected to Him is life. To be disconnected from Him is to be spiritually dead.

The seventh title is that Jesus is Lord. “…that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (verse 18b) He does not ride in anyone’s back seat. He is either behind the steering wheel or He has no place in your life. If you do not receive Him as Lord in this life, you will bow to Him as Lord in the final judgment. Every knee will bow before Jesus. Every tongue will declare the lordship of Jesus. He will have first place in everything.

Won’t you repent (turn away) from your sins and follow Jesus? By faith yield your life to Him and place your life in to His hands. If you repent and believe upon the Son the Father will receive you. God the Father will grant forgiveness but you must receive God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ethan Hansen is Pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. E-mail him at ethanchansen@gci.net.