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Who Do You Say I am?


Last night on the O'Reilly Factor, I became upset by how Billy O'Reilly, a universalist pastor, and an atheist scientist were talking about Jesus and the Virgin Birth. I was astounded how O'Reilly, a professed Catholic was trying to separate the Son of God from the "Man Jesus" in order to get atheists like the professor of science to agree with him. This "Separation Theology" as I call it, is to pander to people who do not believe Jesus is the Christ. As believer and follower of Jesus; who is the Son of God, God and Man, God became flesh: I am insulted by this desperate attempt to appease those who do not believe.

In the end everyone comes to their own conclusion about who Jesus is. In fact, the Lord himself asked the question, "Who do the people say I am?" (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question Jesus is asking the world, both back then and now. The disciples said the standard answers, "some say you are prophet like Jeremiah and Isaiah or John The Baptist returned." (Matthew 16:14). This answer is what many followers of other religions will say, for adherents of religions like Islam believe Jesus was a prophet and they revere him, but they do not believe He is God. Then there are those who say Jesus was a Great Teacher (Moriah) and Rabbi. That His teachings were profound and polarizing, but not evidence of His divinity.

Jesus then asks the question again, this time even more specifically, "Who do you say I am?" This is important, because he is now asking his followers. Thus both the unbeliever and believer alike must answer.
St. Peter answered the question when he said, "You are The Christ, The Messiah, The Son of the Living God!" (Matthew 16:16). What Peter said is important because he covers major details of who Jesus is. Peter has identified that Jesus as the Divine One/God (Christ). the anointed Ruler of Israel (Messiah), and The Son of God (His place in the Trinity). Had Peter only answered with one of these he would have only touched on one piece of Jesus' nature.

C.S. Lewis once quipped that you have only three choices regarding Jesus Christ. "You either believe he was liar and made it all up, a fool and thus was crazy, or you believe He was really the Christ, The Son of God." (Lecture by Lewis). Lewis' illustration is helpful, but honestly people have many other ideas of who they think Jesus was and is. There are many that revere Jesus as a teacher, more who see him as prophet, and lots who like St. Peter and myself believe that He is God and the Son of God.

In the end each person must answer Jesus' own question. You can try to dodge it with history and scientific theories, but in the end you must choose what you believe. I believe Jesus is the Christ, The Messiah, The Son of the Living God, and the Righteous Judge who will judge the quick and the dead. Who you say Jesus is and what you believe about Him will shape not only how you see Him, but also your eternity! If you fall short of what St. Peter said, "Christ, Messiah, Son of the Living God," you have fallen short of the Gospel and are in danger of damnation. You cannot separate the God part from the Man part of Jesus. The historical Jesus I know is The Christ, Messiah, and Son of God! For God came into human history on that night in Bethlehem! To profess as St. Peter did is to be a Christian and follower of Jesus!

So who do you say that Jesus is? Your answer will determine your eternal destiny.

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