Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Mark 8: 27-29
Are we
called to be “Super Christians”? Are we not to feel frightened about anything? At Sunday School we got into an interesting
discussion regarding fear. Some believed
that fear is not something Christians should experience and if they do it is
because they are not matured in their faith.
Others believed that a healthy dose of fear is necessary. Yet others insisted that the only permissible
fear is the fear of the Lord.
I’m not
qualified to advance a forceful answer, but one thing I do know, the subject of
fear is a complicated issue to deal with in the life of a Christian. I believe, however, that we must experience a
healthy dose of conviction which will move us to action and to be prepared at
all times. After all, we are to
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15)
I believe
that a crucial part of such preparation is to have determined some foundational
answers to the most critical questions regarding our faith, so, when the moment
comes, we don’t hesitate. However, what
questions are the crucial ones? Where do
we begin to figure that out? In my opinion,
Jesus himself tells us. He tells us as
He told his disciples when He walked on this earth. Back then, when his beloved followers were
telling Him how some where saying that He was “John the Baptist; others Elijah;
and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to
life;" (Luke 9:19) Jesus posed
backed to them what I consider the most crucial question of all: “But what
about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" (Luke 9:20)
Who do you say He is?
Who do you say Jesus is? If we
answer this question with conviction, stick to it and remain loyal to this
answer, we’ll be prepared. Let’s not
waste another minute and spend time right now answering this question. Who do you say Jesus is? Meditate on it. Ponder it.
Wrestle with it. Examine the
evidence. Do what you have to do, and
come out being able to reply, just like Peter said: “You are the Christ.” Examine His pierced
body. Like Thomas, see His wounds, put
your fingers in the holes on His wrists, and stick your hand in His side,
wonder and finally marvel at His sight and say, like Thomas: “My Lord and My God.”
“Who do you say I am?”
You are the Christ! You are the
Great I AM. Lord of all and Lord of my
life. You are my Lord and my God,
without a doubt. He cannot be anything
short of this. All the other answers are
not of the Holy Spirit. He is not a
great teacher. He is not a great man
that lived 2000 years ago. He is not a
great healer. He is not a loving man who
did some great things. He is not one
more in the collection of the gods of this world.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One
and Only; who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John:1 1,14)
“Who do you say I am?” Mark 8: 29
No comments:
Post a Comment