Did Jesus Know Who He Was?

One of the criticisms that brethren made of Jesus Christ, Superstar was that Jesus did not appear to have any confidence in Himself or even know for certain who He was. Consider the lyrics to the song, “The Last Supper”:

This is my blood you drink. This is my body you eat. If you would remember me when you eat and drink. I must be mad thinking I'll be remembered. Yes, I must be out of my head. Look at your blank faces. My name will mean nothing ten minutes after I'm dead.

Now does anyone familiar with the Scriptures believe that Jesus actually thought or said words such as these? O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus also ventured into this territory. Consider the conversation Jesus had with John the Baptizer. Jesus asks, “How can you be so certain that what you believe of Me is true, cousin?”

John: “In the desert I found communion with our Lord.”

Jesus: “…and the voices told you I was coming?” John: “Yes….”

Jesus: “God speaking of Me?” John: “Yes.”

Jesus: “Cousin, until this day, although I’m a man of strong belief, I’ve worked a trade, a carpenter, nothing more. Baptize Me, and I too will go to the desert and listen for the voice of God.”

When Jesus returns from the desert, He must have been successful because from that time on He exudes confidence and never doubts Himself. The problem with this ideology is that Jesus always knew who He was, and the incident that occurred when He was twelve years of age proves it. He was in the temple reasoning from the Scriptures with the teachers of the Law. When His parents questioned Him about it, He asked them, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). And when Jesus said that, He was not referring to His work as a carpenter, as Joseph was. Jesus was never confused about His identity or His mission. He did not receive a special enlightenment at His baptism or in the wilderness. He faced temptations. He also knew of the significance of His death, which is the reason He submitted to it (Mark 8:31-33; 9:31-32; 10:32-34; John 18:4). Jesus was the Son of Man but also the Son of God. He knew Who He was and what He would accomplish—salvation for mankind.

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 16:16-17