2026 Luke 9-2, Who Do You Say I Am?
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2026-07-12 16:06
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Who Do You Say I Am?
Luke 9:18-36
The text is the Caesarea Philippian Catechism. Caesarea Philippi is in northern Israel, where the tribe of Dan was located. However, among the twelve tribes, the tribe of Dan disappeared. Why?
The land originally allocated to the tribe of Dan was in southern Israel, bordering the Philistines. Disliking war with the powerful Philistines, the tribe of Dan left the land given to them by God and went north, conquered a land called Laish, and named it Dan. They worshiped God. Yet they left God-given land. They did as they pleased—accomplishing their own will driven by greed and easy going life style. This is the spirit of Dan. No matter how good God's will is, if they dislike it, they don’t do it.
God gave them a mission to conquer and rule the land. But, they disliked the land because of stress from the Philistines and the state of the land, little water. They prioritized their own will.
In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples. “Who do the crowd say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets” They saw Jesus a great prophet. Now, many see Jesus as one of the four great saints. The crowd’s view is incorrect.
Jesus asked again, “What about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” God’s Messiah means, first, Jesus is God, the Creator. Only He is worthy to receive glory, honor, power and praise. Second, He is the Messiah (Savior.) This is the most important confession.
Then Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” While on earth, Jesus lived as the Son of Man meaning, a suffering servant to serve sinners and save them. He knew the way of saving sinners. “I must suffer, be rejected and killed.” To save sinners, stubborn, selfish and immoral, he was slain and with his blood he purchased men for God making them to be a kingdom and priest to serve God. Before his crucifixion, Jesus taught his disciples the essence of Christianity.
In a life of faith, the real question is not, “Do you believe in Jesus or not?” but “Have you pass through the cross of Jesus?” If we know the cross of Jesus, we live differently and pursue different things on earth.
Steve Jobs said, “Think differently.” Spiritually we pursue something completely different. The goal of the world is success; money, fame, security and pleasure. But our goal is the cross of Jesus.
Look at verse 23. Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
First, deny yourself
Deny yourself means deny your sinful nature and self-centeredness. We try to keep ‘myself’ at the center of the universe, suppressing the truth of God. Indeed, man’s biggest idol is ‘me.’
Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Man is clump of lust and greed. We act as if nothing is wrong. However, you and I are the lump of lust and greed. That is human ego. If my ego is not denied, it is against God and His will ending in either destruction or emptiness.
Jesus says to his people, “Deny yourself.” Fight this battle. In 1948. There was the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam. In front of the altar of Holy Communion, there was a coffin. People wondered, “Who has died?” Looking inside, there was a mirror. They were asked, “Who do you see?” “Me.” “That is right. Today, you eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood. It means your old and self-centered ego died.” People were deeply moved and realized that they were dead in Christ Jesus.
Folks, did you die? Were your lust, greed and selfishness dead? Has your human-centered plan and feeling died? Fight this battle.
Second, take up your cross.
Here cross means mission of God. From the beginning, God gave man a mission, “Be fruitful, increase in number and rule over the world.” We were created for mission, and man is happy when they fulfill the mission of God. Jesus’ cross was to die on the cross to bear our sin, death and judgment of hell. Now each of us has our own cross we must take up. As a student, studying is your cross. As a father, mother, spouse, worker, we have our own cross. (Presiding is Joshua’s cross. Singing songs is Antonio’s cross.) Now, as disciples and citizens of God’s kingdom, we have a cross that is preach the word of God.
These days, there are many yuppies. They exert all their strength to obtain their fame, wealth and easy life. With money, they eat delicious food, travel, go to music concert, buy a car and house and live an immoral life. Are they happy?
Happiness lies in taking up the cross given by Jesus. Holiness is being set apart and used by God. Therefore, a life with a mission is holy and meaningful and happy. It involves sacrifice your time and material for the Lord. But you will know that you are happy. This is what it means to be a Christian.
Because the tribe of Judah sought to take up the cross, they became the true firstborn of Israel. Ephraim, on the other hand, fled during every war and became a sign of evil. Which path would you walk?
We are to carry the cross every day. Worship once a week is not everything. We are to worship God, pray and share the good news of Jesus daily. What cross are you carrying these days?
In a rainy day, if you want to wade across deep creek, take a large stone. If not, you will be swept away by the fast current and lose your life. You must carry a heavy stone to survive. It is heavy, but this heavy burden saves you. Life is not meant to live an easy life. It is meant to carry the burden of a mission.
Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls.” Do you want rest and freedom? Then, take Jesus’ yoke upon you. "Uh, the yoke is too heavy and restrains me." No. A yoke makes the ox's burden lighter and its work more efficient." The yoke is a tool or equipment for efficient work.
Folks, do you dig the ground with your hands? Isn't it better to have a shovel or a bulldozer? The yoke given by Jesus is not a burden, but tool or equipment for abundant harvest.
For me, preparing sermons requires lots of time and energy. It is hard. It is the cross. But what would I do if I do not take up this cross? I’ll just waste time on the internet or trivial things such as watching sports game. No. I don't want to live like that. That is why the cross given by God makes me joyful, meaningful and productive. It makes my life light and easy.
Verse 24- 25 says, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” You try to save your life without sacrifice and suffering for the Lord. But you will lose it. You lose your life for Jesus and his gospel work, you will save it. If you give up God-given mission but choose the easy path, your spirit dies. Then your mind becomes corrupt, and your body follows pleasure, eventually leading to destruction without fruit.
Choose not easy, comfortable or light life but difficult, heavy and narrow life. There will be joy and fruit in your life. Worship, prayer, and evangelical work and devotion are the cross. It looks heavy, doesn't it? But there are rewards on earth and eternally as well.
Marriage is like a cross. Do you think marriage is happiness? Marriage is an invitation to suffering. However, suffering is accompanied by happiness. How come young generations are avoiding marriage? From their perspective, married life looks difficult such as child-rearing, paying the mortgage and bills and clash of opinions and feelings. That is a fact. Marriage is not a bed of roses. We marry to suffer. But that is where happiness lies. Jesus rejoiced in saving us. That is why He suffered to bear the cross. He sacrificed and suffered to give us life and reached glory. Marriage is suffering. But if you bear the cross of your spouse and family, there is happiness. If you do not marry, there is neither suffering nor happiness. You just live a lonely life until you die, drinking whiskey, traveling, and feeling happy while looking at your bank account.
The tribe of Dan was like this. "Gee, I don't want to live beside the hostile and threatening Philistines. I don't want to live in such a barren desert region. I'm going to the north, where there are no wars and water is everywhere. That is a land without war, suffering and responsibility. But, they and their descendants fell into idolatry and adultery. They vanished from God's Book of Life. We are not people who pursue happiness like the Tribe of Dan. If we live like that, we are servants of the devil.
In that land, there is the Cave of Adullam. David established a church there with 600 ordinary men in worship, prayer and Bible study. He was filled with gratitude and joy. How? Because of the grace of Christ, who bore all of David's sins. And because he bore the mission given to him to shepherd broken people. Later, he established a unified kingdom and laid the foundation for the coming of Messianic kingdom. Folks, bear a rough cross. Do not live like the Tribe of Dan. Deny yourself and take up your cross.
Eight days passed after Jesus talked about his suffering and crucifixion. Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. Why? Jesus knew his disciples were fearful, discouraged and depressed by the message of suffering and crucifixion. Jesus knew what they needed.
As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Jesus showed his disciples His original glory. To the disciples, Jesus was poor preacher. To them, Jesus had no titles. But Jesus is God with eternal glory. The church must have the glory of God. “I am exhausted.” See the glory of God. You will be restored.
Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Those who see the glory of God can overcome present suffering. In 1984, I saw the glory from Jesus. In 1990, I saw the glory of God, unerasable experience. These two experiences have been source of power for my Christian life. I want you to see the glory of God.
Look at verses 30-31. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure.” Moses and Elijah are the representatives of the Old Testament, law and prophet. They had common factors. They were men of mission to deliver the people of God. They were also servants of suffering. In fulfilling God’s mission, suffering is unavoidable. While on earth, they suffered a lot. Now, they appeared in glory. Their lives of mission were short in terms of time and space. But their glory lasts forever. Their appearing to Jesus has a great meaning to Jesus. Jesus must die on the cross for the sin of the world. This is unbearable suffering. Now, Moses and Elijah must have encouraged Jesus to take his cross to fulfill the will of God.
Here ‘his departure’ means Jesus’ death on the cross. The cross is the power to destroy sin, death, judgment and the devil. Do not waste your life on trivial things. Instead, grasp the core, the cross of Jesus.
Look at verses 32-33. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” Here? With glorious Jesus and Moses and Elijah? With glory without suffering? Peter who had made the great confession became dull, foolish and mundane. Because he did not pray and was trapped in his own world, he became so worldly. He believed in Jesus, yet his hope and desire were in the rosy world without suffering. “No. I hate suffering. A disciple life is too hard!” Peter did not know the principle of Christianity, “no cross, no crown, no suffering no glory.”
John 12:24 says, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus knew that the time came for him to die. But he said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Glory comes when we deny ourselves and bear the cross.
Verse 35 says, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Jesus had taught them the principle of Christianity. That is to deny yourself and take up your cross. But they rejected it. They hated suffering and discipline. Then, God directly spoke them from heaven, “Listen to him.” It is to accept Jesus’ teaching of crucifixion and resurrection.
Would you listen to the voice of God? Peter said, "It is good to be here." No. You must go down to mountain and fight against the evil spirit to save the souls. You must go to the mission field to pray and preach the word of God.
Jesus invites each of us to come to him to see his glory. May he show his glory to you and me so that we may deny ourselves and take up our cross.
Luke 9:18-36
The text is the Caesarea Philippian Catechism. Caesarea Philippi is in northern Israel, where the tribe of Dan was located. However, among the twelve tribes, the tribe of Dan disappeared. Why?
The land originally allocated to the tribe of Dan was in southern Israel, bordering the Philistines. Disliking war with the powerful Philistines, the tribe of Dan left the land given to them by God and went north, conquered a land called Laish, and named it Dan. They worshiped God. Yet they left God-given land. They did as they pleased—accomplishing their own will driven by greed and easy going life style. This is the spirit of Dan. No matter how good God's will is, if they dislike it, they don’t do it.
God gave them a mission to conquer and rule the land. But, they disliked the land because of stress from the Philistines and the state of the land, little water. They prioritized their own will.
In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples. “Who do the crowd say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets” They saw Jesus a great prophet. Now, many see Jesus as one of the four great saints. The crowd’s view is incorrect.
Jesus asked again, “What about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” God’s Messiah means, first, Jesus is God, the Creator. Only He is worthy to receive glory, honor, power and praise. Second, He is the Messiah (Savior.) This is the most important confession.
Then Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” While on earth, Jesus lived as the Son of Man meaning, a suffering servant to serve sinners and save them. He knew the way of saving sinners. “I must suffer, be rejected and killed.” To save sinners, stubborn, selfish and immoral, he was slain and with his blood he purchased men for God making them to be a kingdom and priest to serve God. Before his crucifixion, Jesus taught his disciples the essence of Christianity.
In a life of faith, the real question is not, “Do you believe in Jesus or not?” but “Have you pass through the cross of Jesus?” If we know the cross of Jesus, we live differently and pursue different things on earth.
Steve Jobs said, “Think differently.” Spiritually we pursue something completely different. The goal of the world is success; money, fame, security and pleasure. But our goal is the cross of Jesus.
Look at verse 23. Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
First, deny yourself
Deny yourself means deny your sinful nature and self-centeredness. We try to keep ‘myself’ at the center of the universe, suppressing the truth of God. Indeed, man’s biggest idol is ‘me.’
Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Man is clump of lust and greed. We act as if nothing is wrong. However, you and I are the lump of lust and greed. That is human ego. If my ego is not denied, it is against God and His will ending in either destruction or emptiness.
Jesus says to his people, “Deny yourself.” Fight this battle. In 1948. There was the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam. In front of the altar of Holy Communion, there was a coffin. People wondered, “Who has died?” Looking inside, there was a mirror. They were asked, “Who do you see?” “Me.” “That is right. Today, you eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood. It means your old and self-centered ego died.” People were deeply moved and realized that they were dead in Christ Jesus.
Folks, did you die? Were your lust, greed and selfishness dead? Has your human-centered plan and feeling died? Fight this battle.
Second, take up your cross.
Here cross means mission of God. From the beginning, God gave man a mission, “Be fruitful, increase in number and rule over the world.” We were created for mission, and man is happy when they fulfill the mission of God. Jesus’ cross was to die on the cross to bear our sin, death and judgment of hell. Now each of us has our own cross we must take up. As a student, studying is your cross. As a father, mother, spouse, worker, we have our own cross. (Presiding is Joshua’s cross. Singing songs is Antonio’s cross.) Now, as disciples and citizens of God’s kingdom, we have a cross that is preach the word of God.
These days, there are many yuppies. They exert all their strength to obtain their fame, wealth and easy life. With money, they eat delicious food, travel, go to music concert, buy a car and house and live an immoral life. Are they happy?
Happiness lies in taking up the cross given by Jesus. Holiness is being set apart and used by God. Therefore, a life with a mission is holy and meaningful and happy. It involves sacrifice your time and material for the Lord. But you will know that you are happy. This is what it means to be a Christian.
Because the tribe of Judah sought to take up the cross, they became the true firstborn of Israel. Ephraim, on the other hand, fled during every war and became a sign of evil. Which path would you walk?
We are to carry the cross every day. Worship once a week is not everything. We are to worship God, pray and share the good news of Jesus daily. What cross are you carrying these days?
In a rainy day, if you want to wade across deep creek, take a large stone. If not, you will be swept away by the fast current and lose your life. You must carry a heavy stone to survive. It is heavy, but this heavy burden saves you. Life is not meant to live an easy life. It is meant to carry the burden of a mission.
Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls.” Do you want rest and freedom? Then, take Jesus’ yoke upon you. "Uh, the yoke is too heavy and restrains me." No. A yoke makes the ox's burden lighter and its work more efficient." The yoke is a tool or equipment for efficient work.
Folks, do you dig the ground with your hands? Isn't it better to have a shovel or a bulldozer? The yoke given by Jesus is not a burden, but tool or equipment for abundant harvest.
For me, preparing sermons requires lots of time and energy. It is hard. It is the cross. But what would I do if I do not take up this cross? I’ll just waste time on the internet or trivial things such as watching sports game. No. I don't want to live like that. That is why the cross given by God makes me joyful, meaningful and productive. It makes my life light and easy.
Verse 24- 25 says, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” You try to save your life without sacrifice and suffering for the Lord. But you will lose it. You lose your life for Jesus and his gospel work, you will save it. If you give up God-given mission but choose the easy path, your spirit dies. Then your mind becomes corrupt, and your body follows pleasure, eventually leading to destruction without fruit.
Choose not easy, comfortable or light life but difficult, heavy and narrow life. There will be joy and fruit in your life. Worship, prayer, and evangelical work and devotion are the cross. It looks heavy, doesn't it? But there are rewards on earth and eternally as well.
Marriage is like a cross. Do you think marriage is happiness? Marriage is an invitation to suffering. However, suffering is accompanied by happiness. How come young generations are avoiding marriage? From their perspective, married life looks difficult such as child-rearing, paying the mortgage and bills and clash of opinions and feelings. That is a fact. Marriage is not a bed of roses. We marry to suffer. But that is where happiness lies. Jesus rejoiced in saving us. That is why He suffered to bear the cross. He sacrificed and suffered to give us life and reached glory. Marriage is suffering. But if you bear the cross of your spouse and family, there is happiness. If you do not marry, there is neither suffering nor happiness. You just live a lonely life until you die, drinking whiskey, traveling, and feeling happy while looking at your bank account.
The tribe of Dan was like this. "Gee, I don't want to live beside the hostile and threatening Philistines. I don't want to live in such a barren desert region. I'm going to the north, where there are no wars and water is everywhere. That is a land without war, suffering and responsibility. But, they and their descendants fell into idolatry and adultery. They vanished from God's Book of Life. We are not people who pursue happiness like the Tribe of Dan. If we live like that, we are servants of the devil.
In that land, there is the Cave of Adullam. David established a church there with 600 ordinary men in worship, prayer and Bible study. He was filled with gratitude and joy. How? Because of the grace of Christ, who bore all of David's sins. And because he bore the mission given to him to shepherd broken people. Later, he established a unified kingdom and laid the foundation for the coming of Messianic kingdom. Folks, bear a rough cross. Do not live like the Tribe of Dan. Deny yourself and take up your cross.
Eight days passed after Jesus talked about his suffering and crucifixion. Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. Why? Jesus knew his disciples were fearful, discouraged and depressed by the message of suffering and crucifixion. Jesus knew what they needed.
As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Jesus showed his disciples His original glory. To the disciples, Jesus was poor preacher. To them, Jesus had no titles. But Jesus is God with eternal glory. The church must have the glory of God. “I am exhausted.” See the glory of God. You will be restored.
Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Those who see the glory of God can overcome present suffering. In 1984, I saw the glory from Jesus. In 1990, I saw the glory of God, unerasable experience. These two experiences have been source of power for my Christian life. I want you to see the glory of God.
Look at verses 30-31. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure.” Moses and Elijah are the representatives of the Old Testament, law and prophet. They had common factors. They were men of mission to deliver the people of God. They were also servants of suffering. In fulfilling God’s mission, suffering is unavoidable. While on earth, they suffered a lot. Now, they appeared in glory. Their lives of mission were short in terms of time and space. But their glory lasts forever. Their appearing to Jesus has a great meaning to Jesus. Jesus must die on the cross for the sin of the world. This is unbearable suffering. Now, Moses and Elijah must have encouraged Jesus to take his cross to fulfill the will of God.
Here ‘his departure’ means Jesus’ death on the cross. The cross is the power to destroy sin, death, judgment and the devil. Do not waste your life on trivial things. Instead, grasp the core, the cross of Jesus.
Look at verses 32-33. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” Here? With glorious Jesus and Moses and Elijah? With glory without suffering? Peter who had made the great confession became dull, foolish and mundane. Because he did not pray and was trapped in his own world, he became so worldly. He believed in Jesus, yet his hope and desire were in the rosy world without suffering. “No. I hate suffering. A disciple life is too hard!” Peter did not know the principle of Christianity, “no cross, no crown, no suffering no glory.”
John 12:24 says, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus knew that the time came for him to die. But he said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Glory comes when we deny ourselves and bear the cross.
Verse 35 says, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Jesus had taught them the principle of Christianity. That is to deny yourself and take up your cross. But they rejected it. They hated suffering and discipline. Then, God directly spoke them from heaven, “Listen to him.” It is to accept Jesus’ teaching of crucifixion and resurrection.
Would you listen to the voice of God? Peter said, "It is good to be here." No. You must go down to mountain and fight against the evil spirit to save the souls. You must go to the mission field to pray and preach the word of God.
Jesus invites each of us to come to him to see his glory. May he show his glory to you and me so that we may deny ourselves and take up our cross.