March 18, 2025
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Why Your Answer Shapes Everything
At some point, every leader wrestles with their identity and purpose. Whether you’re leading a congregation, a family, or a team, how you answer one question will shape everything about how you live and lead:
Who do you say Jesus is?
In Luke 9, Jesus poses this question to his disciples. They had heard public opinions—John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the ancient prophets—but Jesus presses in: “What about you? Who do you say that I am?”
Peter responds, “The Christ sent from God.” It’s a bold answer. Yet, like many leaders stepping into a calling, Peter likely didn’t fully understand the weight of his words. He was picturing victory, glory, and power. But Jesus was about to show him something very different.
Leadership Steps Into the Messy Places
As Jesus continues to explain his mission, it becomes clear: his path includes suffering, rejection, and death. Not the triumphant story anyone expected. The common belief was wherever the Messiah is, misery disappears. But Jesus flips that script. Wherever there is misery, there is the Messiah.
Leadership in God’s kingdom doesn’t avoid hard places. It steps into them. You don’t lead by escaping suffering. You lead by showing up in the middle of it—with hope, healing, and the presence of Christ.
Mountaintop Moments Prepare You for the Valley
Luke’s Gospel then takes us up a mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. It’s the Transfiguration. Jesus shines with glory. Moses and Elijah appear. A mountaintop moment if there ever was one. Clarity and confirmation burst onto the scene: Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
As a leader, you’ve had those moments. Times when everything falls into place. Vision is clear. The energy is high. Let’s do this! You may want to linger there. Peter did. He wanted to set up camp on that mountain.
But Jesus leads them back down. Straight into the valley. Straight into chaos. A boy suffering. A crisis no one else could fix.
The mountain prepares you for the valley. Leadership isn’t just about inspiration and vision. It’s about stepping into the mess, offering what you have, even when you feel inadequate. Especially then.
Don’t Mistake Confirmation for Arrival
It’s easy to get stuck chasing mountaintop experiences. But confirmation isn’t the end of the journey. It’s preparation for the work ahead.
You may find yourself in a season where you’re stuck between the mountain and the valley. Between public opinion and your true calling. Clarity comes when you listen to Jesus. Not when you try to figure it all out. Not when you wait for everyone’s approval. When you listen.
The voice from the cloud said it plainly: “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him.” And in listening, you follow. You trust. You obey.
Live from the Mountain, Lead in the Valley
The disciples couldn’t stay on the mountain forever. Neither can you. Leadership means living from the mountaintop clarity, but leading in the valley. That’s where most of life happens—somewhere in between.
Jesus showed Peter, James, and John that his path wasn’t about avoiding suffering. It was about stepping into it to bring hope, healing, and salvation. And if you’re following Jesus, it will lead you to the cross—not just to the glory, but to the places where people need you to be present.
Your Identity Is in Christ
Leadership in God’s kingdom isn’t about ego or public opinion. It’s not about charisma or personal success. It’s about who Jesus says you are. And it’s about offering the hope of Christ wherever you go.
In times when everything feels like it’s falling apart—when nothing is going as expected—remember this: God has called and equipped you for this moment. You’ve been anointed to lead with the love and grace of Jesus, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Listen to Jesus and Be Faithfully Present
Leadership isn’t about making it easy. It’s about being faithful. When you come to the end of yourself, that’s often where you’ll hear Jesus most clearly. And he’s calling you to be a faithful presence—on the mountaintop, in the valley, and everywhere in between.
The path of leadership may not be what you expected, but it’s exactly what you’ve been called to. And the good news? Jesus walks it with you.
Timestamp
00:00 Introduction to Episode 364
00:35 The Question of Identity
01:04 Scripture Reading: Luke 9:18-20
03:18 The Path of the Messiah
03:46 Leadership Lessons from Jesus
04:24 Scripture Reading: The Transfiguration
06:18 Mountaintop Experiences and Leadership
07:23 Living Between the Mountain and the Valley
09:13 The Challenge of Leadership
13:13 Final Thoughts and Benediction