In Caesarea Philippi Jesus takes a little break from his teaching with the disciples and he surprises his disciples with a pop quiz; a little mid-term exam in theology. How well have they been paying attention in their Christology class? His first question to them is truly a theology question and it tests their knowledge of facts and teachings about the “Son of Man”: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Mt 16,13) The disciples are quick to give various answers, all worth some partial credit. From their answers it is clear that a lot of people are talking about Jesus and know something “about” Jesus. As it was back then so it is now. Many people know something about Jesus. They have heard about him, they have talked about him and many have formed opinions about who he is. We can study theology, we can read books, we can join in discussion groups and we can listen to various “experts” in the historical Jesus field and we can claim to have some knowledge of Jesus. However, knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. Knowing the facts about Jesus, that he came from Nazareth, that he was a carpenter, that his father was thought to be Joseph doesn’t get to the truth of who Jesus truly is. Many people have ideas about Jesus and have formed personal opinions. If you ask people about Jesus today you will probably get a wide variety of crazy ideas.

Jesus probes a little deeper with a follow-up question: “But who do you say that I am?” This question requires a little more reflection. The disciples are not so quick to offer answers. This question asks for a more personal knowledge of Jesus. The answer to this question requires a personal relationship with Jesus. To have a personal relationship with Jesus one must become a disciple of Jesus. This knowledge can only come to a person who is on a journey with Jesus, who has answered a call to “come and see” and who is following Jesus. This personal knowledge comes from a daily encounter with Jesus. True disciples of Jesus are confronted with this challenging question: Who is Jesus to me? This question is asking for more than information, it is asking for meaning. To answer this question, one must not only examine their mind, they must also look into their hearts. To truly know a person you have to open your life to that person and let them be a part of your daily life. To know Jesus as a disciple you have to have a daily, personal encounter with Jesus in prayer and sacrament. Jesus must be present in your life. And yet, even with this daily, personal encounter with Jesus, we may still only have an imperfect, partial and subjective knowledge of Jesus. At one point in the gospel, Jesus asks Philip, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” (Jn 14,9) The true “I am” of Jesus may remain hidden in mystery and requires more than subjective reflection of mind or heart, it requires revelation.

Jesus, in a prayer of praise to the Father in the gospel of Matthew, affirms: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (Mt 11,27) Peter goes to the head of the class among the apostles when he confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16,16) Jesus confirms the source of Peter’s knowledge, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Mt 16,17) John affirms in his letter to the Church: “Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.” (1Jn 4,15f) Only the Holy Spirit of God can lead us into the fullness of the truth about Jesus. Paul also affirms that knowledge of Jesus comes through revelation in his letter to the Galatians: “But when God, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood…” (Gal 1,15f) The Holy Spirit transforms us and conforms us to Jesus so that we might have “the mind of Christ.” (1Cor 2,16)

Who do you say that Jesus is? Facts and information that come from personal study can get you started, a personal relationship of encounter in prayer and sacrament through discipleship can help you to draw closer but only the revelation of the Father, through his Spirit of Truth, can lead you to the fullness of truth. An act of faith in God’s revelation of his Son becomes a true foundation for an eternal life of joy and blessing.