Who Do You Say I Am?: A Practical and Relevant Reflection of the Life of Christ

By Brian Poe MDiv

“Who Do You Say I Am?” is the beginning of a series of books unveiling the life of Christ for the reader. Jesus walked on the earth for a short thirty-three years, and only ministered a little more than three of that. Yet, his life and ministry has changed the face of the earth. The life of Christ is a fascination that is revealed page after page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664216976

Brian Poe MDiv

Brian Poe is the husband of Jesse, and the father of Caleb and Ben. He is the full-time preacher of the Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter, Michigan. Brian is a graduate of Heritage Christian University, having received his M.Div.

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Copyright © 2021 Brian Poe, MDiv.

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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-1698-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1699-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1697-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020925394

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/22/2021

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Part 1: Jesus: The World-Changing Wonder

1.     Before First Breath

2.     A Peculiar Adolescent

3.     The Power That Fascinated The Masses

4.     The Words Of The Teacher

5.     The Marvel Of No Action

6.     Final Thoughts

Part 2: Jesus: A Heart Of Compassion

7.     The People With No Shepherd

8.     Jesus Feeds The Five Thousand

9.     Jesus Feeds The Four Thousand

10.   The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant

11.   Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

12.   Jesus Heals The Leper

13.   Jesus Heals The Boy With The Evil Spirit

14.   Jesus Raises The Widow’s Son

15.   The Parable Of The Good Samaritan

16.   The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

17.   Jesus Wept

18.   Final Thoughts

Part 3: Jesus: The Keeper Of The Law

19.   The Sanctity Of The Law

20.   Matters Beyond The Law

21.   The Righteous Upbringing

22.   Simple Matters Of The Law

23.   The Greatest Commandment

24.   Jesus And The Religious Leaders

25.   Jesus: The Culmination Of The Law

26.   Final Thoughts

Part 4: Jesus And The Charges Of An Innocent Man

27.   Becoming Real

28.   A Night Of Failures

29.   Another Disciple

30.   The Charges

31.   A Guilt Too Heavy

32.   Kings And Governors

Epilogue

FOREWORD

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only

true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

—John 17:3

These words saturate the united message of both the Old and the New Testaments. From the phrase In the beginning (Gn 1:1) to the conclusion, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (Rv 22:21), knowing God and his Son, Jesus the Christ, has served as the key to eternal life. This is not merely referring to an educated, book-smart knowledge—although there is no replacement in the development of one’s faith for the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17)— but instead, truly knowing the Father and the Son exceed the classroom walls and infiltrate every step in the life of the faithful disciple. When one begins to know him in this manner, the words aptly spoken by Jesus in John 17:3, like a tree blooming in the spring, begin to display the beauty of such an intimate and meaningful relationship, one that has eternal implications.

With keenly focused intent, this resource has, as the primary goal, for us to know Christ. Structured in such a way as to engage the reader in a thought-provoking journey, the author begins before Jesus is born and carries us to the cross. Like an excellent tour guide explains the meaning and significance of every stop, Brian Poe pauses and allows us to observe our Savior in some of the most trying, testing, and tempting situations. From the wonder of his early days as a child to the unmeasurable demonstrations of his compassion, through his determined dedication to fulfilling the law of God, and finally to the dreadful and yet glorious events leading up to the cross, readers, as travelers on a fantastic expedition, have the opportunity to see Jesus the Christ uniquely, perhaps in a manner never deeply treasured in their hearts before.

Upon concluding my reading of this work, I was deeply drawn to an increased desire for a greater appreciation of Jesus. Often, in my studies and possibly in yours as well, we read God’s Word and the accounts surrounding the life of Christ from an intellectual perspective. We do this because we have a deep desire to grow in our knowledge, possibly even because we will be required to relay that knowledge through teaching others. However, when we reduce the study of Jesus Christ to mere memorization of facts, we may miss Jesus as the Christ in personal application.

This is why this resource is needed in your life and mine. Again, we must never fail to see the immeasurable importance of diligently studying the infallible Word of God; however, we must intentionally, with great focus, guard against equating knowing the Father and the Son with merely knowing facts about the Father and the Son.

That’s where Brian has excelled in this work. He has not made this an academic journey above your head. He writes in such a way as to capture the wonder, the amazement, the beauty of Jesus Christ and presents engaging, real-life scenarios to the reader that are consistent with the truth of God’s Word. If becoming more like Christ is your aim, this resource will be well worth your time. If you strive to know the Father and the Son, not as a replacement for the Word of God, this book will serve you well.

Thank you, Brian, for showing us Jesus in such a way that inspires disciples to grow in their knowledge of him.

Joe Wells, MMin, president, Kaio Publications, Inc.

PREFACE

I have wanted to begin writing for years, but for many reasons, I did not. I was waiting to become qualified; I was waiting to be able to write something someone would want to read. I was waiting to decide what to write; I was simply waiting. Realistically, a year from now, after this first book is published, readers will likely forget or not even care that this was my first book. But for me, I feel defined by what I write, especially by what I choose to be the topic of my very first book. I was searching for a topic that was meaningful and full of life. This was the kickoff; this was the beginning of something new.

One day, before I even chose a topic, I sat and wrote down all the things I know about Christ; some I have studied, some I have not. When I finished the list, I was mesmerized; I found a life worth writing about. This one book is far too small to fit all that I desire to write about the life of Christ. This is only the beginning of a journey, with several books to follow. In these chapters, you will read about Christ in a way that represents what he means to me. For you, it may be different; the words may be different. I hope this book will spark your imagination so you can find your own words. You may or may not write a book, but perhaps Jesus would become more real to you each day. Perhaps as you read these pages, you’ll have your own words written on the pages of your heart: the story of Jesus and who he is to you. My hope is that this book might bring you life.

Brian Poe

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is?

They replied, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am?

Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. (Mt 16:13-16)

What a day to remember. It was a day to assess identity, it was a moment to establish relationships, it was an opportunity for reflection; Jesus wanted to know who he had become to these twelve men he had been working with for those last few years. They had been working with Jesus, but that did not guarantee that they had gotten to know him. They had watched him do amazing things, but had they gotten to know Jesus in the way he wanted them to? Even Paul, several years after this day, wrote, I want to know Christ (Rom 3:10a). On this day that the disciples will never forget, Jesus turned to them and asked them who they said he was. What he was really asking was, Do you know me?

Of course, Peter was the one to answer. Peter was known for many things, including his impulsive actions that often received a rebuke from the Lord. But Peter turned to Jesus and answered the question: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Perhaps that is why Jesus tolerated Peter’s rash character; Peter might have been rough around the edges, but he got it.

When I picture that moment in my mind, I imagine the dialogue going back and forth as normal, but when Peter answered with this, silence filled the air. Silence as the eleven waited to hear what Jesus would reply. They often watched Jesus rebuke Peter; would this moment be any different? They all watched as Jesus turned to Peter, and to their surprise, he looked at Peter with a soft smile of approval.

I am writing this book because I have become fascinated with the life of Christ in a way that has stirred a fire in my heart. I am writing this book because I cannot contain these words, nor do I believe they are to be kept for myself. I am writing this book because I want to share the life of Christ with you in a way that will stir your love for him in ways you’ve never felt before.

What you will not get from this book is a chronological account of the life of Christ. You will not get an exhaustive study of the Gospels. However, you will get a reflective study of the virtues and character of Christ. You will get a relevant look at his actions and his love for people. You will get a practical written account of who Jesus was. The purpose of this book is clear for both myself and for you: I want to know him more, and likewise, I want you to know him more.

To entail the entire life of Christ in this one book is far from possible. John was right when he said that the whole world could not contain the books that would be written about the actions of Jesus (Jn 21:25). I will say that this one single book is not complete in the