“And all the people were amazed, and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’” (Matthew 12:23-24)
When Jesus was thirty years old, He started preaching all over the country of Israel, and even beyond its borders. His words were supported by miracles that showed Jesus’ supernatural power and his heart for lost and broken people. Many people were healed from incurable diseases and handicaps like blindness, paralysis and leprosy. Demons were cast out. A storm was stilled and bread multiplied. All these miracles made clear that Jesus was not just an ordinary human. People were amazed and asked themselves whether He could be the Son of David…
The religious leaders denied this. They did not accept Jesus as the promised Messiah, let alone as the Son of God! They claimed that his power to cast out demons came from Satan, not from God. This was a severe accusation that Jesus took seriously: “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:32).
The question about Jesus’ identity was not only a complex puzzle for hopeful and seeking believers. It was also a spiritual power struggle, for Jesus threatened the established religious order.
Having clarity about Jesus’ identity is vitally important. If He really is the Son of David, the Son of God and the King of the universe, you’d better know! Who do you believe He is?