Discovering the Depth of Who Jesus Is
Once, at an airport, a man’s flight got cancelled due to bad weather. Impatient and annoyed, he barged to the front of the line and told the lady at the counter, “I need to go home now. Do you even know who I am?” The lady behind the counter remained surprisingly calm. She looked at him and said, “Sir, I understand that you’re in a hurry, but there are many others here who are also waiting to be helped. I’ll do my best to assist you, but I need you to wait your turn.”
The man was taken aback, he repeated, “I’m serious! Do you have any idea who I am?”
The lady grabbed the loudspeaker and announced, “Attention, everyone! We have a mysterious gentleman here who seems to have forgotten his own identity. Anyone able to help, please step forward.”
Just as the man at the airport sought recognition, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” It’s a question that transcends time and invites each of us to delve into the depths of our beliefs.
Recalling Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, we hear the resonant voice of God affirming, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” This divine declaration set the stage for Jesus’ ministry, anchoring his identity as the Son of God. Jesus wasn’t plagued by an identity crisis; rather, he aimed to help those around him recognise the significance of his presence.
We often label Jesus with a litany of titles: Saviour, rock, fortress, and more. These descriptions, though helpful, can sometimes remain superficial, inherited from others rather than experienced personally. The disciples were not asked to recite what they had heard, mimicking others like John the Baptist or Elijah. Rather, the question shifted from the collective to the individual: “Who do you say I am?”
This transition can be daunting. We’re challenged to move beyond the image of Sunday’s Jesus, the one we encounter within church walls. Who is Jesus when adversity strikes, when choices are muddled, when we find ourselves caught in the storms of life or when loved ones are taken away? These moments demand a deeper understanding, a personal connection.
It’s not about finding the “right” answer; Jesus isn’t seeking a scripted response. He’s inviting us to unearth the authentic, to gaze within and offer an honest portrayal of who he is to us. He seeks the stories of how he’s been a light in our darkest hours, a comfort in our deepest grief, a guide through the journey of our choices.
Today, let’s pause and reflect. Let’s revisit the encounters we’ve had with Jesus – those times when his presence was evident, his grace transformative, and his love unshakable. These moments, these encounters, shape our answer to the profound question: “Who do you say I am?”