Who is Jesus?

We could discuss the question of who Jesus is at length.

A prophet?
A teacher?
A guide?
An inspiring speaker?
A…

(What would you add to this list?)

And it’s true: Jesus was a prophet, teacher, guide, and an inspiring speaker. But before you know it, we talk about Him as someone we relate to from a distance, someone we have an opinion about. But then what?

John the Baptist also had his questions, and understandably so! He was the one who prepared the way for Jesus and was now in prison. Would it all turn out okay? Who was Jesus, and when would He show His power?

When would He overcome the Romans?
End injustice?
Set prisoners free?

John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He truly was the One who was to come or if they should look for someone else.

Do you sense a bit of doubt? Did John, from prison, start to wonder if Jesus really was the One? Possibly. In the Bible, we read that John’s disciples were to report back with what they saw: the blind see, the lame walk, the unclean are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the good news. As if Jesus is telling John, “Look, this is what’s happening! I am at work—clearly—but it may look different than you expect. Do not doubt, even though you’re in prison."

A valuable lesson for us: do not doubt when your circumstances are complicated and perhaps hard to understand. Be inspired by what God is doing. He is working, and His mission continues.

Something else to consider. At one point, Jesus asks what people think about who He is. And that same list comes up again: prophet, teacher…

All true, but Jesus asks an important follow-up question, “And who do you say that I am?”

That is the core question.

Look, you can have all sorts of opinions about Jesus. But who is Jesus to you?

Peter knows his answer. He says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What a beautiful confession.
What would your answer be?

Take these questions to reflect on:

• Do you see God at work? Where? How? How could you see this (more)?
• How can you invite others into this?
• Who is Jesus to you?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself. Open my eyes so that I may see You more. Lord, help me to realize that it’s not so much about what I know about You, but about whether I know You personally. Lord, reveal Yourself and open my eyes to see it. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I acknowledge that. Amen.”