He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:15
...Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me...
John 21:15,16,17
The
prospect of going to college was so exciting for me. It was to be my
first time away from home and away it was. I left Southern Illinois
to attend a small Christian college that was located right in the
middle of the state of Kansas. I had never traveled anywhere even
near the border of that state.
A
really nice thing the school did ahead of time to break in us
freshman girls was to assign to us a senior female student...a big
sister. We wrote letters back and forth getting acquainted with each
other. My sister's letters were long telling me about herself as
well as introducing me to college life. We exchanged pictures of
ourselves, but even pictures aren't sufficient to introduce people to
each other. When arriving on campus, my big sister had left a gift
basket on my desk for me. She had already let me know she wasn't
around the dorm very much what with an overload of classes and
working almost full time. However, when we did meet, both of us had
the same reaction and said almost the same things to each other: “I
feel like I've known you for a long time” and “I would have known
you anywhere.”
In
recent days both in my own personal thinking and study, I've thought
a lot about how well I know Jesus. With all of the advantages we
have had through the years in getting to know Jesus better, I'm
wondering how well we really know Him. I realize we only have the
Bible as far as actual written information about Jesus. Throw in
Greek and Hebrew translations that do give us a little more insight
into word meanings and phraseology, and it all still comes back to
the Word of God.
With
having studied a lot in the New Testament Gospels, I'm always
interested in Jesus' interactions with people. All of His teachings
are priceless, but there are what I would call “significant
moments” where it may not appear there is much importance to an
event, but in such events, Jesus' words can ring down through time.
In the Gospels, I think the above two questions in our two Bible
verses, posed by Jesus, are important questions for you and me to to
answer within ourselves with some clarity and love for Him. Both
questions were answered by Peter even though only one was posed to
Him personally.
By
mid-Matthew, Jesus had been preaching and teaching for awhile. It's
hard to tell how far Jesus was into His ministry, but He was
beginning to be known. At this time, Jesus was very cautious about
becoming famous. In His mind was His own timetable. He knew what
awaited Him down the road...a cross. He had much to do with little
time. Fame for Jesus was not a friend at that point. Jesus and this
band of 12 had ministered to hundreds of people and there was bound
to be talk. If people were curious about Jesus, in all probability,
they would talk to the disciples about Him. The disciples told Jesus
of those men of God of the past that folks had mentioned. But then
He asked THE question to only the disciples....”Who say ye that I
am?” I would imagine there was a bit of a pause with the men
looking at each other. Good old Peter spoke up as he was accustomed
to doing. His answer was priceless to the point that Jesus told
Peter he could only have received that knowledge from God Himself.
Peter had responded: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God.” Good job, Peter...right on.
After
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, He met with the disciples
according to the last chapter in John. He questioned Peter three
times regarding his love for Him (Jesus). He wanted to know if Peter
loved Him. Some say Jesus asked Peter three times because he had
denied Jesus three times. We don't know that, but Peter seemed
puzzled being asked the same question three times. Each time though,
Peter assured Jesus of his love for Him. Unbeknown to Peter, Jesus
knew of some great opportunities that would be in the beginning of
the new church and further missionary efforts that would contribute
greatly to the Kingdom.
Let
me say that I think these are two of the most important questions
Jesus asked in the course of His ministry. Jesus had every right to
ask them and today, He has every right to ask you and me those same
two questions. Those two questions really go hand in hand. You and
I have to come to terms with who we believe Jesus is. I'm not sure
how verbal we could be if asked the question by anyone on the spot
and that's because we just don't think about Jesus often enough. We
could give the usual answers I guess....He's my Savior, my Friend, my
prayer answerer, etc. Those really are quite elementary answers for
many of us who have KNOWN Jesus for many years. How deep does our
relationship with Him go? Have we gotten beyond the pictures on the
wall of of our primary Sunday school rooms of Jesus that gives us
only basic information.
Without
having an initial encounter with Jesus, our own salvation experience,
there won't be a relationship. Our salvation opens the door to an
ongoing relationship with Him. We should be able to look at Jesus
with more of a profound love for Him today than we've ever had.
Perhaps one of the reasons we Christians today have problems with
witnessing is because we really don't love and know Him like we
should.
When
we get to Heaven and meet Jesus for the first time in person, will we
honestly be able to say, “I would have known You anywhere.” I
realize we'll see the scars on His hands and feet. Those will be
obvious indicators as will His wonderful presence be obvious. Jesus
has often come to me through others He has used to minister to me in
some way. Jesus will know us, no doubt, but will He look at me with
disappointment. I hope not. He wants a close relationship with us.
When ladies have told me how they don't feel close to Jesus anymore,
my question is always, “Who moved?” I want a strong, loving and
close relationship with Him. He's doing His part...am I doing mine?
How would I answer today....”Glendarae, who do you say I
am?”....”Glendarae, lovest thou Me?” Try those two questions
using your name. It's rather convicting.
Dear
Father, I love and appreciate all You do for me ..things I don't even
think about. Jesus, I love You and am so grateful for the ways You
work in my life through Your sweet Holy Spirit. I want to serve You
faithfully and come to know You better than ever. In Your precious
name....Amen
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