"Tell me about the God you left behind. I probably don't believe in him either."
–Mark Paustian, professor
The more people I talk to in Chicago, the more answers I get to the question: “What’s your opinion on Jesus?”
Many people have high opinions of him. But, there are also many who have been taught wrongly about who Jesus is and what he wants to accomplish.
Some have been handed CCTV-camera-Jesus. He’s always watching them, waiting for them to slip up so he can smite them with some sort of suffering.
Others have been handed doormat-Jesus. His love is fake; he’s too weak to call out any wrongdoing, and he’s too weak to help them in any real way.
Who do you say Jesus is? I’m confident that when you come to know the truth about who he is (the Son of God) and what he came to do (be the Messiah, the Savior of all people), he would capture your heart in ways you’ve never experienced. I’m confident because I’ve experienced that myself.
The real Jesus has real blessings in store for you and me.
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…”
–Matthew 16:13–17
For meditation:
Do I tend to think of Jesus more as an angry judge or as an unserious hippie?
For prayer:
Dear Lord, Help me to discover each day more of who you are. Help me to learn each day more of who you want me to be. And help me to each day grow in the depth of your love to save all people. In your name I pray, amen.
