By MEGAN SITES
Who is Jesus?
“On hearing [Jesus’] words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet. Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” –John 7:40-52
So who is Jesus? This question is just as alive today as it was thousands of years ago. There was a lot of talk in these verses about who Jesus was. Some said he was a prophet, others said He was the Messiah and some said there is no way He is the Messiah. Verse 43 says, “Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.” There were many voices saying many different things about Jesus. This struck me because I think in our own lives today we hear many voices saying maybe different things about Jesus and its causing a divisions in our hearts.
Not only do we live in a world that still has a lot to say about who Jesus is or was or might have been but we can often battle within ourselves with issues of disbelief also. We hear other conversations about who Jesus is and no matter how secure we may feel in our faith some stories rock us more than others, and we begin to wonder if maybe they are right. Maybe He isn’t good, maybe He doesn’t care about me, maybe He isn’t God, maybe He was just a prophet and we “maybe” ourselves to death.
Yet the words Jesus spoke ring as true as ever. Before the questions, before the confusion of the crowd, Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” When I get lost in the maybe’s and the what ifs, I go back to the stream of faith to find my answers.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT So who do you say the Jesus is? Is He good? Is He kind? Is He disappointed in you? Is He redeemer? Is He king? Is He distant? Is He close? Is your friend? Is He your protector, your provider? Is He angry? Does He delight in you? What does Scripture say about who Jesus is? Over the next few days I want to challenge you to silence all the voices and what they say about Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, “No one can have faith without hearing the message of Christ” (Romans 10:17, CEV). I am going to be spending some time this week asking these questions and diving into what the scriptures say about who Jesus is.
When you and I struggle, flounder, or get lost in a sea of doubt, the best way to move forward is to dive into the scriptures and find truth for ourselves about who Jesus really is. The book of John is a great place to start. Would you join me?
PRAYER Jesus, who are You? When all the voices are swirling around me saying conflicting things about You, who are You? This week would you speak to my heart? Will you show me just who You are? Strengthen my faith and fill my eyes with Your vision for my life. I love you and I invite you to move in me and in my heart this week. Strengthen my faith in You from the inside out. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Megan can be found on Instagram @mrssites
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