Who Do You Say I Am?
Who is Jesus? A teacher, a prophet, a heretic, the Son of God? Jesus asked this question 2000 years ago, and it still rages today.
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“That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth… “ Proverbs 22:21 NKJV Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived, tells us that there is a certainty of truth. Everything is not subjective. Truth is certain, and it is universal for everyone. In fact, the term “your truth” in most cases is an oxymoron. Let me give you an example. The law of gravity is a truth that applies to everyone—not just those who choose to accept it. Gravity will work every time. We could be having a discussion about this, and you could say to me, “Well, that is your truth. I just don’t believe in gravity; therefore, it is not my truth.” Okay, sounds nice. But one thing is for certain though: gravity will work for you whether you accept it or not. If you say it’s not your truth, then I welcome you to walk off a cliff to test the theory of relative truth. Gravity will quickly become your truth too—100% of the time—whether you like it or not. Jesus makes a bold claim about truth in the Gospel of John. He tells His disciples that He is the truth (John 14:6). If Jesus is the truth, that means what He says about Himself is universally applicable—just like the example we saw with the law of gravity. This is why we see Jesus speak with certainty and clarity. Jesus often interacted with the religious leaders of the day. They were His biggest critics and opposition. Eventually, they were the ones who had Jesus killed. What Jesus said was often offensive to them and, in their eyes, completely blasphemous. This is because Jesus spoke with certainty and did not leave things up to people to decide. He didn’t say: “This is what I think, but you need to find your own truth.” No, He spoke with certainty. Speaking with certainty is often offensive because it forces the hearer to make a decision about what they are hearing. They have to accept it or reject it. Jesus made a radical statement to the priests, scribes, elders, and religious leaders. The statement of Jesus that we are about to look at will be the overarching theme of this book. If what He says is true, then we have to accept it for all 66 books of the Bible. It applies to everyone who accepts any part of the Scriptures, regardless of your religion. Jesus says this: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40 NKJV I’ll summarize what Jesus is saying here: He directly speaks to the people who are responsible for the religious system of that time—the priests who run the temple affairs, the scribes who copy down the text so there can be more scrolls in circulation, the teachers in the religious institutions in Jerusalem, and the people who run the synagogues where people gather every Sabbath throughout the country of Israel. He tells them that they think they have eternal life because they study and know the Word of God. But what He says next is a shocker to everyone who can hear His voice: He says that the Scriptures testify of Him. He says that unless they come to Him, they will not have life at all—because they will have missed everything the Scriptures actually say. The audacity and boldness of what Jesus said cannot be understated. Jesus claimed that all the writings they had in their possession, which they knew and believed to be from God, were actually about Him. Jesus said that unless they came to Him, they would not receive any eternal benefit from all the things they were doing. Let me repeat that: Jesus said that the Scriptures they studied would have no benefit at all for eternal life unless they came to Him. They had the books of Moses for 1,500 years showing them the law of God. They had the temple in Jerusalem, with the entire priestly service revolving around strict ordinances, animal sacrifices for the covering of sin, and yearly feasts people held—feasts that were commanded by God to be kept. They had all these things, and yet Jesus stood in their midst and said that everything was about Him—and that unless they came to Him, they would not have life. I don’t think we, as modern-day readers, can truly comprehend the weight of what Jesus was saying to them. It’s no wonder they got offended! Jesus was clear. He said He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Statements like the one Jesus made brought people to a point of decision. The statement makes a universal application because it is declared to be true—just like the law of gravity has a universal application. Throughout this book, we’ll take a look at why Jesus would make such a statement. Jesus taught His disciples this truth, which is why all the apostles held the common view that all the prophets in the Old Testament witnessed of Jesus. Look at what Peter says when he is preaching the gospel to Cornelius and his household in the Book of Acts after the resurrection of Jesus. “To Him (Jesus) all the prophets witness that through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43 NKJV Peter says in his sermon exactly what Jesus said to the religious leaders in the passage quoted above. Peter declares that all the prophets spoke of Jesus, and that in Jesus we have remission of sins. Without forgiveness of sins before God, we cannot have eternal life. This is exactly what Jesus said when He told the leaders that if they truly understood what the Scriptures said, they would come to Him—and they would have life. The Apostles did not see Jesus as someone who came to start a new religion, but as the Messiah who fulfilled everything that was promised by God and spoken of by the prophets in the Old Testament. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, he said that Jesus Christ is the substance of the traditions given in the Scriptures. Colossians 2:17 …which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. NKJV
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About the Book
Jesus once asked His disciples a question that’s even more hotly debated today than it was back then: “Who do people say that I am?” Their answers reflected a variety of opinions—and not much has changed. Ask that same question today and you’ll hear countless views from across the globe. Billions of people recognize Jesus in some form, yet offer radically different answers about who He truly is. But according to Jesus Himself, there is only one correct answer. This question isn’t just theological— it’s eternal. Many faiths honor Jesus in some capacity. Some view Him as a prophet, others as a teacher, still others as a spiritual figure. Similarly, different religions embrace parts of the Bible—some the Old Testament, some the New—each with unique interpretations. Some await a coming Messiah, others believe He has already come. But what if all the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, spoke with one voice about who Jesus really is? This book is written for anyone—regardless of religion or background—who acknowledges Jesus or believes in any part of the Bible. It invites you on a journey to see that Jesus is not just a part of the story; He is the story. From Adam and Eve to the Exodus, from Passover to the Prophets, every page of Scripture reveals the Messiah—Jesus, the Son of God, who gave His life for the world and rose again. Jesus didn’t start a new religion, nor did His story begin with His birth. My hope is that by the end of this book, you’ll be able to answer with confidence the most important question ever asked: “Who do you say that I am?”
About the Author
Derek is an entrepreneur with a background in ministry. He has over two decades of experience in business leadership and a lifelong passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. In his late teens, he answered the call from God— leaving behind the comforts of home in Canada to pursue biblical studies at a Bible college in Sweden. This step marked the beginning of a life dedicated to both spiritual and entrepreneurial growth. Upon returning to Canada, Derek began teaching Bible studies and preaching across local and international churches, igniting hearts with the message of salvation through Christ. As his journey evolved, he ventured into the business world full time, founding and scaling multiple companies across diverse industries. Over the past 20 years, Derek has built and marketed innovative products, led successful acquisitions, and created employment opportunities for hundreds of people. Yet, through every boardroom victory and marketplace milestone, Derek’s deepest passion remains unchanged: proclaiming the Word of God. Whether behind a pulpit, in a business meeting, or out on the streets, his mission is clear—bringing people to a true understanding of the saving grace found in Jesus Christ alone.