While Jesus was in his ministry, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, after having fed more than four thousand men, he asked his disciples the following question, “Who do people say that the Son of man is?” (Matthew 16:13), and they reply “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14), then he asks them the same question: “And you, who do you say I am?”, to which Simon Peter, answers him: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16), Jesus blesses Simon saying: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:17), to then establish on him the foundations of the Church, giving him power over earthly things (Matthew 16:18-19).
It is important to note the point of view of the people at that time, according to the testimony of the apostles, the people still resisted recognizing Jesus as the Messiah despite the miracles he was already performing among them, but compared Him to something they already knew, with John the Baptist or as one of the prophets, since they had a preconception of how the Messiah was to arrive. Being oppressed by dominance Roman, they expected a liberator of a military nature, a strongman; without realizing that the greatest oppressor of humanity is sin. It is at that moment that God reveals to Simon Peter through the Holy Spirit the reality of who his teacher was, the promised Messiah, Son of the Living God. It is after this episode that Jesus will reveal to three of his disciples: Peter, James and John, his divine nature (Matthew 17:1-2).
Do we recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? (John 1:29) Have we paid attention when he said that whoever does not eat of his body and drink of his blood will not partake of eternal life? (John 6:53-55)
What would our response be, if walking the path of our life, we met Jesus Christ, and looking into our eyes he asked us: and you, who do you say that I am?