Matthew 16:15 (NKJV)
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Jesus asked a simple question to His disciples, “But who
do you say I am.” So many people had different opinions and Jesus was trying to
clarify who He was to the disciples. Peter answered and said, “You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The greatness of God is most clearly displayed in his
Son. And the glory of the gospel is only made evident in his Son. That's why
Jesus' question to his disciples [in Matthew 16] is so important: "Who do
you say that I am?"
The question is doubly crucial in our day, because [no
one is as popular in the U.S. as Jesus]—and not every Jesus is the real Jesus.
…
There's the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases
and activist judges, for family values and owning firearms.
There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street and
Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.
There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life's
problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on
ourselves.
There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee,
loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals.
There's Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time
no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as you).
There's Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes fun faster and
jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.
There's Martyr Jesus—a good man who died a cruel death so
we can feel sorry for him.
There's Gentle Jesus—who was meek and mild, with high
cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash (while
looking very German).
There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a
chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that "all
you need is love."
There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach our full
potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.
There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches,
pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature,
finding "the god within" while listening to ambiguously spiritual
music.
There's Platitude Jesus—good for Christmas specials,
greeting cards, and bad sermons, inspiring people to believe in themselves.
There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebel
against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on "the
system."
There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who
believes in you and helps you find your center.
There's Boyfriend Jesus—who wraps his arms around us as
we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.
There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how to help
people, change the planet, and become a better you.
And then there's Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
Not just another prophet. Not just another Rabbi. Not just another
wonder-worker. He was the one they had been waiting for: the Son of David and
Abraham's chosen seed; the one to deliver us from captivity; the goal of the
Mosaic law; Yahweh in the flesh; the one to establish God's reign and rule; the
one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and
proclaim Good News to the poor; the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins
of the world.
[Kevin DeYoung, "Who Do You Say That I Am?"
from his DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed blog (posted 6-10-09)}
The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life.” Is Jesus that person to you?
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