Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
There is a third question that doesn’t appear in the sacred texts of the Gospel, nonetheless it is worthy of our consideration. It is a question that may help us to understand and answer the Jesus question. The third question is this: Who does Jesus say that you are?
First of all, Jesus says you are a child of God. There are a few things more precious in this world than the love of a mindful father. Selfishness and human weakness rob so many people of this experience, but when we see the beauty of a true fatherhood it is unmistakable attractive. Jesus came to remind us of the love God the Father has for each and every one of us. A good Father takes care of His children. He does everything He can to give His children what they need to live, learn, grow and thrive. He doesn’t give them everything they ask for. He weighs each request. Sometimes He gives them things they don’t need, even before they ask, just to see them filled with joy.
Jesus says and believes you are infinitely valuable. Anytime you don’t believe that, you are living in a state of deception, disconnected from the deepest, truest reality. I often wonder how we would live our lives differently if we really understood our true value. Over and over, throughout the scriptures, Jesus tries to affirm our value: “You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14). “You are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13). “You are my brothers and sisters” (Matt 12:50). You are so valuable that God has counted and keeps track of every hair on your head (Luke 12:7). So often the world wants to belittle us and put us down. But Jesus offers a radically different view. He says you are infinitely valuable.
Jesus says we are free. Jesus values freedom above all else. God values freedom so much that He gives you the freedom to reject Him. Without freedom there is no love, because we can only ever love to extent that we are free. The world treats us like orphans and slaves, but Jesus reminds us that we are children of God and that He came to set us free. Jesus sets us free from selfishness and sin so we can become all God created us to be: the very best version of ourselves. Jesus says you are a child of God, you are infinitely valuable, and you are free—and Jesus’ opinion matters.
So, with all that, as God’s beloved children, who do you say Jesus is? More importantly how do you show it through words and actions?
God’s Blessings, Pastor Gary
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
(Matthew 16: 13 & 15)