Who Am I?

In Bible class we used to play the 'Who Am I' game. I had little Gingerbread men figures with questions on the back. I'd hold them up and the first question was usually the 'hard' question then there were at least two more questions. It might have started out with: "My father's name was Terah." #2 could have been, "I had two brothers, Nahor and Haran." If they still hadn't gotten it #3 could have been "God called me out of Ur of Chaldees." The beginning question was always, 'Who Am I?"

"Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." (Matthew 16:13-14 ASV)

Sometimes we hear people today talking about Jesus. They are still giving different answers. Some may say, "He was a good man." Others have said, "He was crazy, or he was a deceiver." However, there are several factors that should be examined before a conclusion is made.

Matthew 16:15: "He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?" 

16) "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

 17) "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 

18) And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."  

So, those closest to Jesus confessed that he was the Christ the Son of the living God. Not only did they confess,but they lived and died for that confession. 

Jesus says in verse 18 that 'upon the rock of Peter's confession (that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God) that Jesus' church would be built (upon that confession), and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. And they haven't prevailed against the fact that he is who he said he was. 

I love how the gospel of John tells us: 

John 20:26  "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 

27)  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 

28)  Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." 

Thomas had been a doubter, but his last statement speaks volumes.

Yet, there will be doubters until the trump of God shall sound on the last day. Life will be going on as usual. 

Ecclesiastes 8:11 "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12)  Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him: 13)  but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 

To the doubters amongst us, remember the Apostles that walked with Jesus were convinced that Jesus was the Christ so much so they lived, preached, and died for their confession. Remember also Thomas' reaction to Jesus resurrection. My Lord and my God.

There are several things Jesus was not. 

• He was not a liar, nor deceiver.
• He was not wicked, nor a homosexual.
• He was not homeless, but a wanderer
• He was not a socialist, nor a Robin Hood

As it says in Ecclesiastes, because God doesn't strike people dead, or evil isn't punished immediately people are emboldened to mock God and Jesus. Their hearts are set to do evil, but those that believe in and fear God know there is a judgement coming. God is not wishing any to perish so he gives sinners another chance. We hear too often when people die, 'they've gone on to a better place'. They have not gone on to a better place if they are unrepentant sinners. They have not gone on to a better place if they aren't following Jesus.

Jesus is the spotless lamb of God. He was our perfect sacrifice, but without laying claim to that inheritance we won't get it. Our radio station has games with prizes, but since I don't play I'm not expecting to 'get their prize'. If you don't allow Jesus to put your name on the list you won't win the prize.    

Hallelujah! What a Savior!