Who Is Jesus?

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15 (NKJV)

Who do you say that Jesus is? What comes to your mind when you think about Jesus? Do you see Him as a great philosopher or teacher? The founder of a religious movement? The guide for political change?

Jesus was a very complicated person. It is no accident that we find many of His words and teachings hard to grasp, and that we struggle to get a fix on exactly what His teachings and ideas mean. There have been books written about: “The Difficult Sayings of Jesus”. Jesus is complex, and He does not fit easily into any theological box. He is exactly what you might expect from one who is both God and man, the incarnate God among us.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)

People are still trying to make a political figure out of Jesus--yet He shunned politics. People have established elaborate religious rituals and traditions upon Jesus--yet He shunned religious show and pomp. People set up long lists of rules and regulations, legalistic structures and strictures in His name--yet Jesus despised legalism and scorned a religion of rules that did not recognize the rule of love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness for our fellows. Jesus simply does not fit into our “religious boxes”.

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” Mark 7:6-8 (NKJV)

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)

Brothers and Sisters, people will always try to make use of Jesus to prop up their politics, their religious ideologies, and to justify their inhumane treatment of others, but if you want one word that sums up Christ, and that can help you avoid getting distracted by ideologies, remember that Jesus is love. He is motivated by love, even when He makes strong comments and warnings against our religious hypocrisy, He wants to reveal the Father. And Jesus brings the Holy Spirit, so that we are not misled by vain religion and doctrines of mere men. Jesus directs us to the Father, and toward a kingdom not of this world. Indeed, He warned that the cares of this world can choke the very word of God in our lives (Mark 4:19). Jesus set up an inner kingdom of the heart, and He changed us from children of darkness to children of light. His love lights the path before us.

Any emphasis upon Jesus that fails to recognize His core nature of love will be misleading. Do not get sidetracked from the real Jesus, the saving Lord of glory. He lived for love, He died for love, and He lives again in love through those who are His true children.

Dear Lord, keep us on the track of love, so that we never lose sight of who You truly are. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016