Articles
Who Do You Say That I am - Luke 9
Who Do You Say That I am - Luke 9
In studying Jesus, one encounters LOTS of opinions; kind of like noses, everyone has one. Within our cultural history there has been several ‘quests to find Jesus’ among the scholarly world. It is interesting to step back from their detailed, involved, highly speculative, and highly doubtful writings and try and grasp what is going on.
It seems that a common formula is that you begin by doubting God, denying that God intervenes in our world, and thus deny anything miraculous. Only then can you approach the study of Jesus. You realize that almost all of our information about Him is in the four gospels, yet they are filled with God, inspiration, and miracles. You therefore discard all of that in order to get to the ‘real Jesus’. You deny what was recorded by those of the first century and stake your faith upon modern scholarship. Really?
While that is often the approach, it is simply misguided. The Jesus you find this way is usually the Jesus you were looking for, but seldom the Jesus that WAS. Who do people say that I am? I would suggest that you turn to those who knew Him. Let your study dictate your understanding of Him. Let their testimony be your data.
So, what DID they say? In the gospels, we do get a variety of answers. “They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” (9:19). This is the SHORT, abbreviated answer! Some said he was demon possessed, others that He was a lunatic (moon-struck, crazy). Some said he was a false teacher that was leading the people astray from God. Some said he was a rebellious sinner (did not keep the Sabbath or the traditions of the elders). Some said He was a blasphemer of God, and on this charge, they killed Him.
Others had a much higher understanding. The demons said He was the Son of God. John the Baptist said He was the Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away sin. Nicodemus said He was a teacher come from God. Nathanael said He was. The Samaritan woman said He was the Christ who was to come. The blind man said in progression, he was a man, a prophet, the son of Man. John said He was the Son of God. Peter said He was the Christ of God. Thomas declared: “My Lord and My God.” God himself said on several occasions: “This is MY SON”.
The real question that YOU must answer: “And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (9:20). Don’t take a shortcut on this! Think before you answer! Study the testimony of those who knew Him. Immerse yourself in this. It is so easy to hijack the story, to make Jesus fit your agenda, your cause, your favorite hobby-horse, but doing so doesn’t change who He is, nor does it legitimize your hobby!
Finally, how you respond in life is crucial to your answer! If you call Him Lord, then obey Him. If you Love Him, keep his commandments. If your trust that He is the son of God, then deny yourself and listen to Him. WHO do you say that He is?
Hugh DeLong
