Monday, January 24, 2011
Luke 9:20 "Who do you say I am?"
WHO DO *YOU* SAY I AM?
Once Jesus tested His disciples by finding out if they recognized Him for who He really is. "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. 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!
