Who Is Jesus?
Matthew 21:1–11
The whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” Matthew 21:10
Matthew ends his account of the triumphal entry by telling us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, “the whole city was stirred,” as it had been thirty-three years earlier when the Magi came to inquire, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (2:2–3). Here they ask, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (vv. 10–11).
The crowd was calling the man who was entering Jerusalem on a donkey the Messiah, for that is what the shouts of praise meant. John tells us that they called him “the King of Israel” explicitly (John 12:13).
Significant? Yes, but not good enough. They were still thinking of a powerful political ruler, the kind who could marshal an army and drive out the occupying Romans. And the people were shallow even in their confession of Jesus as the King and Messiah of Israel. In a few days they would be singing an entirely different tune as they beseeched Pilate, the Roman governor, “Let him be crucified! . . . Let him be crucified!” (Matt. 27:22–23).
Who is Jesus? This is the time to get your answer to that question straight, in case you have never done it before. Matthew has presented Jesus as God’s King. He was rejected by many but believed on by a few. Where do you stand on this issue? Is Jesus the King? Is he the Son of God? Is he the Savior? Have you trusted him for the salvation of your soul?
If you are still hesitating with your answer, let me take you through the possibilities. First, eliminate the one impossible idea that Jesus was merely a good man. Whatever he might be, he was certainly not just a good man, for no good man could honestly make the claims he made. Jesus presented himself as the Savior of the human race, claiming to be God. Is he? If so, he is more than a mere man. If not, then he is at best mistaken (consequently, not “good”) and at worst a deceiver.
Is he a deceiver? Is that the explanation we have for one who was known for being “meek and lowly,” who became a poor itinerant evangelist in order to help the poor and teach those whom others despised? Somehow the facts do not fit. We cannot face the facts of his life and teaching and still call Jesus a deceiver. What then? If he was not a deceiver and not just a good man, only one possibility is left. Jesus is who he said he is. He is the one the Gospels, including Matthew, proclaim him to be. He is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior. Do you believe that? If you do, now is the time to turn from your sin, trust Jesus for your salvation, and follow him.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.