Why was the question of Jesus' identity so important for the disciples to consider?

Answer 1

When your friends, family and nation are being oppressed by a foreign power... you're eager to be shed of that foreign power, that your lives might be more peaceful, less stressful... and you might see some kind of future for your children.

It doesn't matter what generation you are born into... people are the same the world over in that regard.

Jesus' identity was important in that particular generation, because John the Baptist had been "preparing the way" for the prophesied Messiah. He had thousands of followers who were desperately looking for their salvation from the Roman enemy among them. All of Judaea was aware by the Scriptures from which they were all taught, that the world-ruling empire that oppressed them was Daniel's "fourth beast," after whom God's Kingdom would come. [Dan.7]

Today's oppressed world is said to be "shrinking"... and nations are collapsing everywhere. They speak boldly in favor of "global governance" [all the nations of the world under a central government]. Our generation is seeking its own answers... the same answers the disciples and the Jews sought. What does the future hold for our children? Is there any future? Is there any hope?

Presently, our generation sees no latter day "Elijah" heralding the coming of the Messiah... preparing the way for Him. But Jesus' disciples did. John the Baptist was the guy running around inspiring hope in the hearts of people.

Peter's brother, Andrew, was one of John's disciples. He, too, wanted to know who the one was about whom John preached.

"...John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following... He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

"One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

"He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAS, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." (John 1:35-41)

Imagine someone saying that, today.

The disciples, like every other Jew in the land, were looking for salvation! Not the kind of salvation that modern professing Christianity seeks [to go to heaven]... but the promise of the Scriptures -- to have Daniel's fourth beast crushed by the One whom John identified to them: JESUS OF NAZARETH, the "carpenter's son."

This was a matter of desperation in their eyes. It was so close... they could taste it. For three-and-a-half years, these twelve whom Jesus called kept expecting Him to "start the rebellion" that would result in the power of God casting out the oppressive and vile Gentile empire from their land.

They saw Him healing people. They saw Him "control the weather" as the waves of the tossing sea and the wind obeyed Him. He fed thousands from virtually nothing. Twice, they saw Him "raging through the Temple" stampeding the cattle and the swindling money-changers from their stalls and seats -- dead sure that He was starting His rebellion each time.

But, He never did.

They knew He was the Christ... John said so... their hearts told them so. He preached the Kingdom of God from sunrise to sunset, and kept inspiring them and reviving their expectations. He even promised them that He would let each of them be kings in His Kingdom, each with their own provinces to rule.

"...when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt.19:28)

In the eyes of Jesus' disciples, Jesus kept "pulling back" in His prophesied establishment of the Kingdom of God. And it resulted in doubt setting in from time to time as to whether or not He was the One. Doubts, which just being around Him kept dispelling, though He never did produce their one desire and hope -- co-rulership with Him in God's Kingdom.

That became the most important thing in their lives... so it was vitally important to them to know whether or not they were "barking up the wrong tree"... and whether or not they should stop wasting their time.

The night of that Passover [the 'last supper'] Jesus told them: "...he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one..." (Luke 22:36) -- and they were sure that Jesus' rebellion would begin that night, and that they would be ruling over Israel by morning. They only had two swords among them at the time, however, but they felt secure that once Jesus got started, the power of God that He wielded would make those two swords more than enough to defeat the Roman Empire.

"...Lord, behold, here are two swords. And He said unto them, It is enough." (Luke 22:38)

It was Peter who lopped off Malchus' ear when they came to arrest Jesus. Jesus' passive response to His arrest was too much for Peter. His mind snapped and in his heart: if Jesus wasn't going to get this rebellion underway, he would... and his "one sword out of two" flashed through the air, separating Malchus' ear from his head. And he was crushed when, once again, Jesus "backed off" from His promise of the Kingdom, rebuked Peter, turned to Malchus:

"...And He touched his ear, and healed him." (Luke 22:51)

And except for Jesus' resurrection from the dead... the crushing blow of His arrest and subsequent murder would have killed it for them. Jesus' identity was in serious doubt, now. And for the next three days, at least, they were absolutely convinced that they had the wrong guy.

All during the three years the disciples followed Jesus... they were on a different page from what Jesus proposed to do. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride of faith and doubt. And after His resurrection, when they finally began to understand... they kept expecting Him to set up the Kingdom. They were sure they had the right guy by then... but He still refused to produce it.

The very last thing they asked Him reveals what was foremost and desperately on their minds and in their hearts:

"...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)

They asked this, just before they received His cryptic reply, and the shock of their lives as they watched Him rise into the sky... and disappear into a cloud.

They no longer doubted who He was... but now they had to wait for Him to come back. And hope took on a new meaning to them.

Jesus' disciples doubted His identity from time to frustrating time, and those same doubts persist in the generations of man, since. It's important to those who "believe" in who Jesus is, to prove to themselves and not doubt His identity. For in Jesus' identity lies all the hopes of the world.

People need to see some kind of hope for the future. They and their precious and priceless children depend on it. What future do our children see? How many have identified Jesus? How many nations have?

Jesus left His disciples wondering what next. The only instructions they were given was "...I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18)

"...the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave you, My Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (verses 26-27)

Jesus: "...being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. For John Truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

On the day of Pentecost, any remaining doubts the disciples may have had were dispelled. The hope-inspiring Holy Spirit was given as promised... and the struggle of the "faithful" of the succeeding generations to "identify Jesus" began.

Jesus' identity was more than important just to Jesus' disciples. Today's believers believe because of the dispelling of the disciples' doubts... and their subsequent inspired efforts in God's work.

"...Neither pray I for these [disciples] alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word..." (John 17:20).

Their inspired "words" are recorded in the Bible for us, today, for our turn at being convinced. The disciples struggled greatly in being convinced of Jesus' identity. But so do all who seek to identify with Him.