The festivities of the Easter season invite us into the pageantry, sufferings, and resurrection of Jesus. However, if we are not careful, we may end up as mere spectators. We may become one of the crowd, who is attracted to the action and perhaps even caught up in the message that somehow Jesus did something really big for us.
Or as Christians, we may zone out a little, believing we already know Jesus. We may think we need to look no further.
But, when the action dies down, we may be left with lingering questions. Who was (or is) Jesus really? Is He limited to just a history lesson or does He have something to do with the life we are living right here and now?
Are we really so bad that God would have to have someone die a torturous death to save us from the flames of hell? Have we really ever done anything so bad it would merit such a harsh judgement from God?
And if the story of Jesus is true, have we really ever done anything that would merit such Loving Grace extended to us? Is there something beyond the cross and even beyond the glorious resurrection of Jesus that we have missed?
Perhaps you have questions about Jesus, but you’ve been afraid to ask. Perhaps you can’t see yourself being bold enough to tell anyone … and certainly not Him … that you really wonder about Him.
Jesus once had an interesting conversation with His Disciples. These men thought they knew Him. They had seen up close and personal the amazing things He could do.
One day, Jesus asked them, “Who do men say that I am?”
That question prompted different kinds of responses. John the Baptist come back from the dead … Elijah the great prophet … and no doubt, other men of renown. We can imagine Simon Peter, the ever eager and outspoken disciple, waving his hands and saying, “I know … I know!” And undoubtedly Peter had a list of those to whom people were comparing Jesus.
I imagine Jesus waiting a few moments until they were out of answers, letting the silence build, before He looked at Peter and asked softly, but deliberately …
But what about you? Who do you say I am?
Mark 8:29
Peter had an answer. But at this moment in time, in 2012, Jesus is not asking Peter. He is asking you. He sees you there in the crowd, with all your unanswered questions and doubts. And He is looking at you, not with criticism, but with Love. He wants to answer all your questions! He wants you to know Him!
The crowd parts, as Jesus walks very deliberately over to you. He touches you gently on the arm. His eyes meet yours. He asks you,
But what about you? Who do you say I am?
May this be the season you begin to know in the deepest part of your heart, Who He is
and how much His Life is intertwined in Love with yours.
I invite you to join me in this journey of discovery!
