Who Do You Say He Is?
Photo by: Edward Cisneros
“But what about you,” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15
Jesus posed this question to his disciples as they approached the region of Caesarea Philippi, an area known for its pagan worship. Unsurprisingly, Peter was the first disciple to proclaim Jesus as Lord, responding, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).
Simon Peter, an emotional, impulsive, exuberant man, didn’t overthink things. He loudly spoke what he knew to be true. But I always wonder why the other disciples didn’t immediately respond as well. Perhaps they imagined that they didn’t need to say it out loud. After all, they were following Jesus. They were living a life of radical faith. Was there any doubt that they knew Jesus to be the Messiah, God’s own son?
Well, I’ll never forget when someone posed a similar question to me during the preparation session for my ordination interview. In the United Methodist Church, each ordination candidate consults with a small group of advisors who set up a mock “interview” to assess the candidate’s readiness before he or she is interviewed by the entire Board of Ordained Ministry. Although most of the questions posed are theological or philosophical in nature, the group usually asks a few personal questions as well.
Despite my nerves, my preparation session felt like a success. Nothing my advisors asked seemed surprising. But then, having asked me all the difficult questions of theology and philosophy, having heard the story of my faith journey and call to ministry, one of my advisors leaned forward, looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I just need to hear you say one thing. I need to hear you say Jesus Christ is Lord.”
At first, I was taken aback! Truth be told, I was slightly offended. I thought to myself, “Well of course I believe that! I wouldn’t be here undergoing this enormously stressful process if I didn’t. You’ve heard my call story, you’ve read my written work ….. do you really doubt my faith?” But then I realized that maybe the man didn’t doubt my faith, he just needed to hear me say it out loud. So, I did. With a smile on my face and tears in my eyes I replied, “From the depths of my soul I say to you that yes, Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is MY Lord and savior.”
“Jesus Christ is Lord.” Such a simple statement. One that is easy to take for granted. Yet one that we absolutely need to proclaim out loud. Just as Jesus needed to hear it from his disciples, Jesus needs to hear it from us too.
I’m writing this in the week after Easter. A time that can feel like a letdown in some ways. The lilies wilting, the Easter baskets long decimated, the grandeur and tradition and contemplative beauty of Holy Week given way to the ordinary rhythms of life. The shouts of “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” fading to be replaced by ….. what? What does it really mean to claim the truth and the POWER of the resurrection?
Well, perhaps we start to live into that power by proclaiming out loud, “Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is MY Lord and Savior. My Way. My Truth.” Not just during the pageantry of Holy Week, the introspective sacrifice of Lent, or the glorious remembrance of Jesus’ birth….. but during all of the ordinary days in between.
Jesus Christ is Lord when we worship and praise God in a church sanctuary, and when we sit quietly in the early morning meditating on God’s Word. Jesus Christ is Lord when we serve the downtrodden in our community, and when we serve in our home by folding laundry, sweeping the floors, making the bed. Jesus Christ is Lord on our very worst day and our very best day and every day. Always.
So, as I launch this new ministry. A ministry that at its heart is focused on teaching people about the Bible and connecting people with Scripture on its own terms, this seems like an important statement to express. I welcome people from all faiths, all denominations, all walks of life to this community, truly. But I also need you to know where I’m coming from … what I believe … what I proclaim. Jesus Christ is Lord. My Lord. My Savior. My Way. My Truth.
But what about you? Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Maybe you’ve already answered that question and just need to voice it once more. Maybe you’re still deciding. Maybe you can’t imagine ever uttering those words.
First let me say, you are welcome here. Give voice to your questions, your doubts, your hurts, your fears. This is a safe place free from judgment. We offer knowledge, tools, grace, and community. So, my hope is that if you’re unsure, if you’re doubtful, first give the Bible a chance. Join me in a study so that you might come to know the Bible’s revelations about this man, Jesus Christ. Learn for yourself what the Bible says (and what it doesn’t say) – and then, at the very least, you will be well informed and perhaps better able to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?”
