Following Jesus: Knowing Jesus

It is possible to know the right words about Jesus without fully understanding who He is. In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples what others are saying about Him before making the question personal: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responds correctly, declaring Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet only a few verses later, Peter struggles when Jesus explains that being the Messiah will involve suffering, death, and resurrection.

Knowing Jesus means more than knowing the correct titles or having accurate information about Him. It means allowing Jesus to correct our assumptions and expectations as we continue learning who He really is. For a disciple, knowing Jesus is not something we accomplish once and move beyond. It is a lifelong pursuit of watching Him, trusting Him, and allowing Him to lead.

Key Takeaways:

• Knowing the right words about Jesus is not the same as fully knowing Jesus.
• Our understanding of Jesus cannot be built on public opinion or personal preference.
• Our understanding of Jesus shapes our understanding of discipleship.
• Knowing Jesus requires allowing the real Jesus to challenge the version of Him we have created in our minds.
• Knowing Jesus is a lifelong pursuit.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 16:13-18
• Matthew 16:21-23
• Philippians 3:10