Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Luke 9:20 "Who do you say I am?"
WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?
Actor Rex Harrison was dining with his wife and a few friends at some fancy restaurant. While they were preparing to order, as happens so often with actors, a young man got up from a nearby table and came over to meet him. The young man said, "We just got in on the last flight. I've really enjoyed your work over the years, Mr. Harrison. I just had to come over to thank you." Harrison nodded his head graciously and returned his attention to the wine list as soon as the young man had left again. "What a very odd fellow," Rex said later. "I don't know why he made such a fuss over his last flight. I came in on the last flight from London, but I don't go on about IT, do I?" "Rex," said his wife, "That was astronaut James Lovell. He just came back from flying around the moon."
Once Jesus tested His disciples by finding out if they recognized Him for who He really is. "Who do the crowds say I am?" He asked them. "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again" they answered.
"But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?"
I wonder how quickly the disciples answered. After all, it's always easier to say what others think than to state our own convictions. It's always easier to answer such a question by saying "Well my grandma believed this," or "my father always taught this," or "my church teaches this." But that's not what Jesus is asking the disciples. That's not what He is asking you and me today. He wants to know who YOU say He is. Your mother or father may know Jesus aright. Your spouse may have a clear picture of who He is. Your church may make the correct identification, but finally it comes down to who YOU think He is.
But don't get me wrong, this is not one of those questions where any answer will do. His identity, while it needs to be a personal thing, is not a matter of personal opinion. We are not free to pin any label on Jesus we choose. One of the disciples, Peter, had the right answer. "You are the Christ of God!" he said. What does that mean? Christ means "anointed one" -- the one chosen by God. Jesus is the Christ. But who is Christ? What do the Scriptures say?
"Christ ... is God over all, forever praised!" (Romans 9:5)
"...Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
"He is Christ, the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Jesus is God! But that is not the full extent of His resume. Jesus says about Himself: "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Jesus is not only God, He is also the world's only Savior! He was killed in bloody sacrifice, enduring what we deserved -- damnation itself in our behalf. On the third day He rose so we might have a share in the resurrection to eternal life! That's who Jesus is! He is YOUR Savior and He is YOUR God! 