Who Is Jesus?

READ: Matthew 16:13-18

Who is Jesus?

Some say he is a fictional character. Others, that he existed but very little written about him is true. Some think his sayings are true; he was a wise teacher, but not a miracle worker. Still others, that he was a prophet, a way to relationship with God—one of many valid paths.

I say he is who he says he is: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And who Peter says he is: “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16)

Ever wonder how so many of Jesus’s followers could hear his words, see his miracles, and still get it wrong?

Ever wonder how so many people in your own life could see the Spirit’s work in you, hear your teaching about Jesus, receive the love you give them from the Father, and still not believe?

Maybe if I studied more apologetics, phrased things in a more culturally relevant way, we think to ourselves. Maybe if I loved better or tricked them into church with a bait-and-switch promise of free food, fun games, or great prizes!

And then we hear the words of Christ and realize that even we still have it wrong. As Jesus said to Peter, “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matt 16:17)

Have a friend or family member who doesn’t know who Jesus is? Pray for them. Your logic and love cannot save them; only God can save them.

I Smell Smoke...

Today’s passage touches my heart like none has before.  I wish we were sitting down having coffee so I could share this entire story with you.  I will do my best to pretend. 

It was almost 5 years ago when my husband, a pastor in a mainline church, was confronted with a dilemma. You see, he was being tested. God was giving him almost daily opportunities to serve him, or make the people happy.  It just so happened, the “people” were church folk and powerful ones at that.

Continually as the tension of our situation grew, Steve would ask me, “What should I do?”  I would simply state, “Do the next right thing.”  Steve would remind me that the next right thing could cost him his job as pastor of this church we have come to love.  I would simply smile and say, “Do the next right thing.”

It didn’t take long for those powerful church people to put Steve’s “feet to the coals”, if you will, and he did the next right thing.  He stood up for the gospel of Christ and proudly stated that he would not waiver. My husband was fired that day.

That evening we were doing our nightly devotion with Evan, our 6 year-old-son, and I kid you not, the very next devotion in his Bible, was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace.  Our son, who passively listened to the stories every other night started to cry.  Steve and I gently asked him what was wrong. 

Evan replied, “But I don’t want to walk through fire.”  Evan had NO idea what had just happened and how Steve and I were feeling as if we were now having to walk through the fire.

We smiled at Evan and calmly said, “Don’t you see, Jesus rescued them.  God isn’t asking you to walk though actual fire for him, but life won’t always be easy and we may wonder where God is.  This story helps us to remember, God is with us and as life gets hard; we can trust that He will be right there.”

Our words were enough to calm Evan's anxious hear that evening.  We’ve needed to reassure him over the years, as the flames seemed to be licking our heals.  But, our testimony has been constant, "God is here and He can be trusted."  

Looking back, I have never been so afraid and so proud all at once.  My world was caving in and I was now waiting for God to rescue us from the fire. And I am excited to say, HE HAS! 

It has been a hot fire.  The fire seared us on every side, but I can honestly say that the only thing the fire burnt were my bindings.  Praise Jesus!  What I thought might kill us, God used to destroy the things that tied us down.

You can trust him like that too.  If you are confronted with some life-altering choices, can I give you some advice?  Just do the next right thing.  Then, trust God to be there no matter the cost.

Read today's passage here Daniel 3:26-29

or

Read the whole story here Daniel 3