Who is Jesus?
He was there from the first, and before the first of time. Limitless, timeless, creating all that was created.
The Bible describes Him as “the Word.” Always with God, and always being God. The Creator, who made all things. Light and Life entering the world.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)
But the natural minds of men could not fathom such a being: God and man, eternal and now. And they questioned.
Who is this one called Jesus?
We catch a glimpse of His greatness, long before He enters the stage as Christ.
In Abraham’s day, we are startled by this great, powerful and holy figure known only as a great king, out of the order of Melchizedek. Abraham worshiped before Him—both physically, and with his treasures—giving Him a tenth of the spoils of battle. (Genesis 14/Hebrews 7)
We find Him again, as He is accompanied by angelic beings—standing at Abraham’s tent, announcing the coming birth of Isaac, and confiding to Abraham the judgement that would soon fall on Sodom and Gomorrah. There, Abraham distinguishes Him as “Lord.” (Genesis 18)
In King Nebuchadnezzar’s time, He was witnessed within the fiery furnace along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He was, as the king proclaimed, “one like as to the Son of God.” (Daniel 3)
And even in Eden’s garden, as God walked with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the day,” we wonder if this One—who communed with the earth’s first people—might another day be revealed as Lord and Savior of all. (Genesis 3)
In fact, the more we thoughtfully seek Him throughout the old testament scriptures, the more we find Him there—instructing, inspiring, and even leading the procession of humanity along.
As long as people have lived, the questions are always there. Who is this Jesus? And what have we to do with him?
These were the questions during Christ’s days on Earth. These questions remain through all generations, and through all lifetimes.
The questions remain, because He is the focal point of every person’s earthly existence.
He is the question.
And He is the answer. He is the direct and ultimate challenge to every living soul—the question that must be answered—whereby men must face themselves before the Light, or turn away.
“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)
He is that Light that has come into the world, and the darkness—those that love the darkness—cannot understand it. They dismiss it. They turn away from it. They run from it—like exposed night creatures, stunned by the light—scurrying away for a hiding place.
Because the Light of God is both frightening and threatening, to those that live in darkness.
The scribes and pharisees (religious leaders) of Christ’s day were full of darkness—having a form of Godliness, but denying the power of God. They attempted to figure Jesus out. When they witnessed the miracles done by Him, they were amazed with wonder, like so many others. Who wouldn’t be?
But soon, they opposed Him. In fact, they had to. A choice was before them, where they were either to oppose Him, or bow before Him.
And darkness has no desire to bow. They would need to deal with this threat to their very existence, the way that darkness must deal with light. It must be extinguished—snuffed out, and put away.
Dark minds cannot entertain such Light—because this Light destroys.
The demons thought they knew Jesus. They knew He was the Son of God. He was there, sitting on the throne in Heaven, when they were cast out long before. But now that He was on Earth, they thought He would be weak.
They were many, and they had power—they were called “Legion.” Their host was a crazed maniac who drove people away, broke free of chains, cut himself with sharp rocks, and lived among the tombs.
But upon seeing Jesus coming near, the demoniac fell down before Him in desperation
“And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” (Mark 5:7)
as if to say, “Lord, I have nothing of my own to give you but my worship. All the rest of me is owned by others.”
That was all the Lord needed. The demons fled. The man was set free. And it shook up the whole neighborhood.
Jesus is never put off by the darkness, no matter how dark it may be. Because He is God.
God, who never changes. Jesus doesn’t change, yet He changes everything.
And every one who falls desperately before Him.
Christ’s own disciples thought they knew Him. Of course, they knew a lot about Him. They had witnessed the endless miracles He could do. They had even participated in some really big ones. Peter had even walked on water with Him.
But even after seeing so many miracles, they couldn’t adequately answer the question: “Who is this man called Jesus?”
And Jesus will never let that question go unanswered.
He confronted his friends, his inner circle of disciples, when He asked them, “Who do men say that I am?”
Naturally, His disciples had heard the talk on the street. And they reported: some thought He was Elijah. And some thought maybe John the Baptist (coming back from the dead), or maybe another prophet.
Then Jesus got very personal with them and asks, “But who do you say that I am?”
Can’t you hear the silence fill the room—the deafening silence of doubt?
The silence is broken as Peter declares,
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
We can imagine that Jesus got a smile on his face, or maybe a tear, as He proclaimed, “Peter, you have spoken well. For flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in Heaven.”
That’s because no one can reveal God to men, except God Himself. And this is what He does.
During Christ’s days upon Earth, many followed him for a while. Some followed at a distance, content to know about Him without getting too involved. After all, He was controversial from the first.
Some knew him merely as a provider, or a healer, or a problem solver. Some viewed Him as an inspiring teacher. Their heads may have been full of Him, with their hearts unsure.
But others would know Him as Savior, and finally—Lord. And it was those who discovered His true identity—and their own identity, in the process.
In our present world, times have certainly changed, but the basic human condition has not. Those who choose to bow before Him learn to know Him well.
And many who choose to follow from a distance don’t really know Him at all.
The question grips us: Who is this One we call Jesus?
He makes us choose.
To avoid choosing is actually making a choice.
And to simply ignore Him is to turn away.
Every one of us are enemies of His cross, before we come to Him. We are all strangers and foreigners to His kingdom, until we bow before the King.
For all have sinned—and have come short before His Majesty, and His Glory.
Thankfully, there is a Door still open for any and all who come in search for Him. Jesus is that Door.
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Picture a special Door that has two sides: the Savior’s side, and your heart’s side. The Savior’s side remains wide open, as He knocks for you to open your own side.
If you respond by opening the door of your heart to Him—acknowledging who He is—and allow Him to come in, then the connection is complete.
Access to Him remains at the foot of His cross, where struggling souls can find His rest. Where Sin is washed away. There, amidst the sorrow and the suffering, He was obedient unto death, and paid the ultimate price for each one of us.
All who fall there, find His perfect peace—the peace that goes beyond our own understanding. It is only understood by knowing the One who gives it.
The One who knows you so well, and gladly accepts your heart, as you give it to Him.
He is hidden there, yet in plain sight—so that every hungering soul may find this One, like no other one.
This One called JESUS.
Are you ready to make that choice? Don’t wait!
Admit that you are a sinner, in need of Jesus Christ.
Believe that Jesus Christ can save you, because of what He has done for you on the cross.
Choose to follow Jesus. Invite Him to take charge of your life.
~Ken