Who do you say I am?

Bells are ringing, and Christmas music is flooding the radio stations and shopping malls across the land. The stressed out hustle and bustle of people shopping and running through the malls, buying stuff that will probably only be appreciated for a month or two before taking up space somewhere in the house. Politicians fight and argue about Nativity Scenes, and whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Yet all the while one simple truth is being missed! Who is this holiday truly about? Most people simply focus on the birth, then wait for Easter to consider the resurrection, if they stop to think about it all. 

In Matthew 16:30 Jesus asks a very simple question. "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” NKJV. This begs the question, who does the world at large say Jesus is? Some just see Him as a helpless baby lying in the manger, hanging out waiting for shepherds and wise men. Sadly, some never move Jesus from the manger, but leave Him there. The reason, I believe, is that if He's allowed to grow up, He might start wanting them to change how they live, on a daily basis. 

Once Jesus asks the question, He gets the standard answers. Some people say He's a reincarnated person, in this case John the Baptist, never mind they lived at the same time. I have heard people say, that Jesus was in the long line of reincarnated masters, who show up from time to time to teach us the way to live. Hate to bust the bubble of that group, but Jesus died for our sins, ascended to the Father and sits at the right hand of the throne. Now He is coming back, but the next time as to establish His kingdom. 

The next person they thought he was was a prophet like Elijah. These people recognize that Jesus has come from God, and has a specific ministry, but will stop short of truly recognizing Christ for who He truly is. Other religions will recognize Jesus as a great prophet, even Jesus' detractors were willing to give Him that, but like many today, to admit anything more might make them reevaluate their life choices and follow Christ. 

Then Jesus turns the question personal, “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 15 NKJV) Now Jesus wants you to decide who He is. Peter declared "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.17 NKJV) Who do you believe that Jesus is? It is your personal belief and faith that creates your relationship with Him. Do you see your relationship with Christ as your elder brother through adoption, do you see Him as the only begotten son of the Father? Conversely, do you see Jesus as "Buddy Jesus", who is just your friend, and perhaps have treated Jesus flippantly, seeing His name more as a by-word expressing surprise, or worse! 

Why bring this up now? Although, Christ wasn't born on December 25, and for sure wasn't visited by shepherds, wise men and Santa Claus, and I am pretty sure a tree wasn't involved. However, this is the way many "Christians" see Christmas and how its celebrated. I'm not worried about who says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, because they are just words. I am more concerned about the state of your heart. Who do you say Christ is that we celebrate at CHRISTmas? Have you trapped Him in the Manger, made him the 12 year old at the Temple, the adult teacher, hanging on the cross, left in tomb, resurrected, or do you have Him as the risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has ALL AUTHORITY?? 

So as this season kicks off and you get lost in madness, stop each day and ask yourself, "Who do I say He is?", then celebrate accordingly. 

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you. 
Eric