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Following is an excerpt of "Who is Jesus? (1 of 5)" by Keith Krell added on 10/23/2009.
This content is part of a series.
Who is Jesus? (1 of 5)
Series: Who is This Jesus?
Keith Krell
Matthew 16:13-16

My dad has always enjoyed following baseball. As a result, I grew up watching baseball, playing baseball, and collecting baseball cards. In my 30 years as a fan I've watched many great players. Yet, if I were to rattle off some of my childhood favorites most of you would not recognize their names. Most of these players are long forgotten. They are yesterday's news. Bigger, stronger, quicker, and younger athletes have replaced them. This is a reality of the game.

When it comes to every form of sports and entertainment we see a revolving door of celebrities. It is out with the old and in with the new. However, there is an exception to this rule. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus has defied human history for 2,000 years. He is the most talked about Person in this world. There has been more written about Jesus than anyone else in the world. There have been more songs sung about Jesus than anyone else in the world. There have been more movies made about Jesus than anyone else in the world. We are left with the conclusion that man's fame is fleeting, Christ's fame is forever.

We are going to answer the most important question in human history, "Who is Jesus?" The most critical issue of the Christian faith is the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity stands or falls on who Jesus Christ is. What He said, did, and taught are important but they are not foundational. Jesus' identity is. He is more than just the founder of Christianity; He is Christianity. If you substitute anyone else for Jesus—Christianity will collapse.

In Matthew 16, we find one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. This is the turning point in Jesus' earthly ministry. It is also the apex of His teaching ministry. Knowing the future, Jesus realized that His own death at Jerusalem was quickly approaching. He had, therefore, to enlist some representatives whom He could leave behind to carry on His work.

1. Who does the world say Jesus is? (16:13-14). Verse 13 begins a new section where Jesus withdraws "into the district of Caesarea Philippi" for a time of secluded rest. Why did Jesus go into this region? He needed to get away with His disciples and talk with them about some confidential matters. At this time, "He was asking His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'" Jesus takes a Gallup poll. He solicits popular opinions on who He is. Was Jesus unaware of what people were saying about Him? Of course not! Rather, He wanted the disciples to think through His identity (cf. Mark 9:33).

Both Mark and Luke record this episode. Yet, neither account includes the title "Son of Man." Some have understood the title "Son of Man" as a reference to Jesus' humanity and "Son of God" as speaking of His deity. This seems reasonable but it just isn't so. The term "Son of Man" carries with it both the presence of the Jewish Messiah and divine authority (see Matt 12: ...

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