Who do you say Jesus is? (part 2)

Growing in the Knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Our understanding of Jesus Christ is the bedrock of our faith. It’s not a static concept but a journey of continuous discovery, a process of “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This journey is vital, for as our knowledge of Christ deepens, so does our relationship with God.

The question Jesus posed to His disciples in Caesarea Philippi remains just as relevant today: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). While many held various opinions, Simon Peter’s divinely inspired answer laid the foundation for all who would follow: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This was more than a statement of fact; it was a confession of faith, a recognition of Jesus’ true identity that God Himself had revealed.

This crucial understanding of Jesus’ identity is not a one-time event but a lifelong pursuit. We are called to grow in this knowledge, to move beyond a superficial or purely human perspective. As the apostle Paul writes, “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

1. Our Knowledge of Christ is the Foundation of Our Relationship with God

A genuine relationship with God is built on mutual knowledge. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). This mutual knowing is not merely intellectual; it is an intimate and personal connection. Our knowledge of Christ—His character, His work, His identity—is what enables us to truly know the Father. Jesus Himself stated, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (John 8:19).

2. Growth in Knowledge Means Growth in Relationship

A static relationship is a dying one. The Christian life is a journey of “pressing on” to a deeper relationship with Christ. As Paul declared in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Our growth in knowledge is a key component of this pressing on. As we learn more about Him, our faith strengthens, our love deepens, and our lives are transformed.

It’s easy to confuse spiritual growth with the accumulation of information. But true growth is not about knowing more facts; it’s about a deepening understanding and a higher estimation of who Christ is.

The Wrong Way: Thinking that growth simply means having more knowledge or new, novel insights. This can lead to pride and a focus on intellectualism rather than a heart-level transformation.

The Right Way: Recognizing that growth is a progress in our understanding and estimation of Christ. We move from seeing Him as merely a good man, a prophet, or a teacher to acknowledging Him as the Son of God—the divine, pre-existent Word. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:16 are instructive: “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.” The Holy Spirit’s role is crucial in this process, as He “will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).

To truly grow in the knowledge of Christ, we must grasp the profound truth of His identity as the Son of God. This title is not merely a metaphor; it reveals His very nature.

Jesus consistently affirmed His divine origin. When the Pharisees challenged His testimony, He replied, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14). He made it clear that He was not of this world, but “from above” (John 8:23). He “proceeded forth and came from God,” not of His own accord, but sent by the Father (John 8:42).

In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, he affirms this truth when he described Jesus as the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15.47 NKJV)

The Jews understood the full weight of Jesus’ claim. When He said, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working,” they sought to kill Him because He “not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17-18). His declaration, “I and My Father are one,” was perceived as blasphemy because they rightly understood that He, a man, was making Himself God (John 10:30-33). The term “equal” doesn’t suggest a separate God, but a shared divine essence, value, and measure.

The apostle John provides a stunning revelation of Jesus’ pre-existence and divine nature by introducing Him as the “Logos,” or “the Word.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through Him” (John 1:1-3). This same Word “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Paul echoes this truth, describing Christ as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,” through whom and for whom “all things were created” (Colossians 1:15-16). The journey of Jesus, from being “in the form of God” to “taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:6-7), is a profound mystery that reveals the depths of His humility and our salvation.

Now, the word “became” (“mas made” in KJV) indicates “change”. This is clearly indicated in Philippians 2.5-7: as the Logos in the beginning, He was in the “form of God”. When he “became flesh”, He stripped Himself of glory and took on the form of humanity, flesh. There is nothing in the word (grk. ginomai) that says God created first a flesh, and the Logos dwelt in it. So, when did the Word become flesh? The Bible is clear on this account: as soon as the Spirit of God overshadowed Mary and a baby was formed in her womb! (read Luke 1.34-35)

The ultimate goal of growing in the knowledge of Christ is not individual enlightenment but corporate unity. The ministries given to the church are for “the equipping of the saints… till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:12-13). As we each progress in our understanding of Christ’s divine person, we are drawn together, building a unified and mature body of believers who can stand firm in the truth and reflect the fullness of Christ to the world.

Let us commit to this ongoing journey, seeking to know Him more deeply, not just in our minds, but in our hearts, so that our lives may become a testament to the glorious truth that He is indeed “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”