CONNECTING POINT: Who Is This Jesus?

Throughout history, numerous views of Jesus exist. Likewise, the same is true today, depending on your audience. Christmas is fast approaching, and many of us acknowledge that this holiday is all about Jesus; others consider Christmas a time of giving or cheer minus Christ. Ultimately, the question is up to each individual to decide whether to accept the claims of Jesus Christ.

I’m certainly not ashamed to share my beliefs regarding Jesus; the foundation of my faith rests on the Bible and solid historical evidence that affirms Christ’s claims.

In Luke’s account, he writes about the varying views of Jesus during the First Century; I want to point you to three specific views: Peter, God, and a demon. First: Peter’s vantage point. While Jesus was privately meeting and praying with the disciples, he asked them, “‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘God’s Messiah.’” (Luke 9:18-20). Obviously, there was plenty of talk and questions regarding Jesus. Still, Peter spoke up, boldly saying, “God’s Messiah” or “The Christ of God.” This distinction, along with numerous other verses in the New Testament, supports Jesus being God in the flesh. Further, in 2 Peter 1:1, he again writes, “…our God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” In Greek, the nouns “God” and “Savior” directly refer to Jesus, so grammatically and contextually, Jesus is none other than God.

Second: God’s voice. About eight days later, Peter, John, and James pray with Jesus on a mountain; this experience is unique. One which we should refrain from building a practice or doctrine on making claims to God audibly speaking. These men saw Jesus in His glory with two other men, Moses and Elijah. It was somewhat frightening, and it left them in awe. Of course, Peter, in that situation,n says, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (vs. 33). In many respects Peter misses the entire point, the revelation of Christ’s divinity, and what’s his response? Peter focuses on earthy matters and building a shelter in that location. Then, in one of the three occurrences in the New Testament, God’s audible voice is heard, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him’” (vs. 35). There are many moments in the Bible when the disciples didn’t catch what Jesus was clearly saying.

Third: a demon’s verdict. The day after the mountain experience, Jesus travels with the disciples, and the crowd builds around them; a father in a desperate situation begs Jesus to see his only son (Luke 9:27-43). A demon has been tormenting his son, and the disciples could not cast out the demon. The boy is brought before Him, and the demon throws him into a frenzy; Jesus rebukes that spirit, and the boy is set free. Throughout the Bible even demons recognized who Jesus was (Mark 3:11, Luke 4:41, Luke 8:28).

In essence, Jesus is often referred to as “The Son of God,” but we are to understand this statement in combination with other Bible verses as Jesus being God and man while present on earth. He was fully divine but clothed in human flesh, “God with us.”

My question to you is, who do you say Jesus is?