Who is Jesus?

Luke 9:18-27

Who is Jesus? Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of his birth, so who is he? If he was just a normal baby, why should we celebrate his birth? Babies are born every minute. Being born in a stable is nothing special. Historically, most babies were not born in hospitals, and many have been born in even worse situations, so that isn’t a valid reason.

While we still celebrate George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays, they don’t get nearly the attention of Christmas, even though they were two great men in American history. Jesus was never a world leader like one of these men. Many groups think of him as a great teacher, classing him with Buddha, or Mohamed, and adopting some of his teachings. Even some of those who hate his teachings still celebrate Christmas. Why?

Our star struck society flocks to hear some flavor of the moment music group or political figure, then rushes after someone else. Most famous people have been forgotten, often even before their death, yet two thousand years later Jesus is still remembered. Even in his own day, there was a lot of discussion about who he was. Jesus asked his disciples about how he was viewed.

"And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” (Luke 9:18-19)

Herod had John the Baptist arrested shortly after he Baptized Jesus. A short time afterward, He was convinced to execute John, ande many people thought Jesus was perhaps actually John the Baptist come back to haunt him. Others remembered the prophecy of one like Elijah coming before the Messiah and thought perhaps Jesus was actually Elijah, or one of the other old prophets who had been reincarnated. There is as much uncertainty today about who he is as ever. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter who other people think he is, but only who you think he is, and that was hat Jesus asked next.

“He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.” (Luke 19:20)

Each person must take responsibility for their own beliefs and actions. Too often we just go along with the general consensus without forming our own opinion. We are trained to conform, yet every great discovery of history is the result of some one doing something differently than what others did. Most people’s opinion of who Jesus is based on what others have told them rather than any personal study or experience. Most of the Jews were basing their opinions on what their leaders were telling them.

The Apostles and other disciples had spent time personally with him and formed their own opinion based on their observations and experiences. Thus, their beliefs were far more meaningful than any opinion based on hearsay. It is that personal knowledge that qualifies them to write and tell us of Him.

Peter’s answer is very significant, “The Christ of God.” “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” God had promised a descendant of David who would come and turn Israel back to serving God, forgiving their sin. Isaiah 9:6 is one reference. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Peter stated that he believed this was who Jesus is, literally God come in the flesh.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) Until God reveals that Jesus is God, we cannot be saved according to John 6:44. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

I John 4:2-3 makes it clear that this is the first test as to whether one really knows God or not. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” Regardless whether one believes Jesus is a prophet or a great teacher, if he doesn’t believe Jesus is God in the flesh, he doesn’t know God.

“And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:21-22)

Everywhere we look we are assaulted with advertising promotions. More than half my mail is some form of advertising, and most of my email. It is assumed that no one will notice unless you advertise, so churches use advertising just like any secular business. Jesus forbidding his disciples to advertise who he was seems counter productive, and his own brothers thought he should advertise in John 7:3-4. “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.”

Jesus knew what was coming, however, warning his disciples of his coming death. If others were told that he was the son of God without God’s assurance, they might well be turned completely away by his death, and others might try to block God’s plan. Even those he told had trouble accepting it. Following takes a commitment many are not willing to make.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25)

Later Jesus is very specific that unless a person commits his life to Christ, giving up his own aspirations, and submitting to God, he cannot be saved. That is what it means to call some one “Lord.” We have to choose having it our way or allowing God to have his.

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)

A person who will not make that commitment to Christ here on earth will have no place in Heaven, Matthew 10:32-33 warns, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” The easy believism so popular today just won’t cut the mustard. For those who place their faith in him, however, the rewards are immense.

“But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:27)

It is this verse, and John 21:22-23 which leads many to conclude that John will be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. John 21:22-23 states “Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” After his imprisonment on the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Revelation, there is no verifiable record of what happened to John although tradition claims he was killed. John himself was not sure when he wrote his gospel, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.