Who Do Men Say That I Am? A Meaningful Life Like Jesus....Keep it a buck... Are People Better Because They Encountered You

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” He wasn’t looking for an ego boost. He was inviting them to look deeper — beyond His miracles, beyond His teachings — to see the heart and meaning of His life.

The scripture you’re thinking of is Psalm 90:12:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (KJV)
This verse is often understood to mean that we should live with awareness of the brevity of life, using our time intentionally and wisely so that our days are filled with purpose rather than wasted.

💡 Original Hebrew (key words)

לִמְנוֹת (limnot) – to number, count, reckon. This isn’t just keeping a tally; it’s measuring with purpose, evaluating what’s important.
יָמֵינוּ (yamenu) – our days. This implies the finite, limited nature of life — not seasons or years, but day-by-day living.
חָכְמָה (chokmah) – wisdom. In Hebrew thought, wisdom is not just knowledge; it’s skillful living — applying God’s truth in practical ways.
נָבִא (navi) in this context is not used, but the idea of “apply” is from הֵבִיא (hêbîʼ), meaning to bring in, cause to come, direct toward.

Jesus lived with a purpose that went far beyond money, status, or reputation. Everyone who crossed His path was impacted for the better. Some stories were recorded in Scripture, but countless others weren’t — the quiet moments, the private conversations, the subtle ways He made people feel seen, loved, and valued.

My grandmothers talked about their encounters with Jesus Christ and that’s over 2000 years after him dying on the cross. Jesus is still alive and touching people’s lives.

Think of Jairus’s daughter, raised from the dead.
Or the woman who had suffered twelve long years with a hemorrhage — healed instantly with just one touch of His cloak.

And the woman who poured her perfume on His feet and wiped them with her hair — scorned by others, yet embraced by Jesus with gratitude and love. He never made anyone feel like they didn’t belong, even when others tried to shame her. They said she should have sold that perfume to the poor.

Jesus’ love wasn’t selective. He didn’t only bless those who were “popular” or “acceptable” by society’s standards. He didn’t mock or belittle women for not having husbands or children. Or scorn others because of their social status. In fact, He showed deep concern for their families and their futures.

He protected the woman caught in adultery, refusing to let her be disgraced or destroyed.
He spoke to the woman at the well with truth and compassion, addressing her marital struggles and offering her living water.
He fed the 5,000 and their families, because love cares for both spirit and body.

Jesus walked in absolute integrity—every word He spoke was backed by action. If He said it, it happened. His authority was so evident that the Centurion declared, “You don’t have to come to my house; just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Even the demons recognized the power of His word, pleading with Him. Jesus spoke to nature and it obeyed. Then he inspired others to do the same.

God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. Numbers 23:19

Even in His final moments on the cross, He made sure His mother was cared for: “Woman, behold your son… Son, behold your mother.”

We only see Jesus truly angry when the holiness of God’s house was being abused — when it became a marketplace of greed instead of a sanctuary of prayer. That’s because His mission was never about exploitation, but restoration.

Jesus lived a meaningful life because He was responsible with His gifts. He valued people. He brought healing, dignity, and hope wherever He went.

And that is the challenge for us: to live in such a way that the people we encounter leave better than they came — not because of what we give them materially, but because of how we love them.