[The Shepherd’s Echo is a reposting of a previously published TheShepherdsPen.]
If you were invited to ask God one question; what would that question be?
Even before we are able to articulate complete sentences or phrases, we begin seeking answers to the questions which plague us; it is just in our DNA. So, what would you inquire of God?
Where are you? Who are you? Why do you allow pain? How big are you? Why did you take away my Mother? Father? Or, child? Why do you allow death? How could you send people to Hell if indeed you are a loving God? Do you love me? Can I know you?
Of all the inquiries we could pose to the Sovereign of the universe, these are some pretty good ones inviting responses. I would suggest that many answers to these types of questions are located in the Bible, and that upon reading it God would be faithful to answer many of them; maybe not all of them, but a good portion. The Bible is indeed a book of answers to questions of the soul.
But, the Bible itself also poses many questions to every individual. Among the most important is the question which Jesus issues to Peter in Matthew 16; here is the exchange…
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17).
Divinely enlightened, Simon Peter answers correctly; Jesus is the long-prophesied Messiah, God himself sent to redeem the lost.
Sometimes we may be so obsessed seeking answers that we fail to gain wisdom. The Bible among its enormous cache of knowledge provides the answer in detail to the greatest question of all: who is Jesus?
May I suggest that this question is among the most important that an individual must ask, and answer in their heart.
Sadly, humanity often lumps Jesus into the same category as other wise teachers, benevolent sages, and charismatic reformers.
The truth is that Jesus is “the Christ, the son of the living God”; Jesus is divine. In that alone He surpasses any accolades of all others combined–there are none who can include those factors on their resume. Who He is–is unique, as well as what He did.
Through His blood He built a bridge to God:
Through His life He offered love.
Through His death He offered peace.
Through His resurrection He offered hope.
Through His love He offers life.
Not all questions and answers are of the same importance. Of all the answers to be sought in this demanding world none is more important than answering the question, “who is Jesus?”
If Jesus were to ask you that one question today; “But who do you say that I am?” How would you answer?
Your eternity hinges on your heart’s reply.
