Who Do You Say I Am?

Do you know who you’re talking to?

This is often the arrogant inquisition given by someone of standing when someone of considerably less credentials seek to question them or prevent access. You might be familiar with the scenario.

The question itself in another setting, however is very pertinent.

I had not seen him for at least five years. We used to meet up infrequently and we had a good rapport. I certainly respected and admired his ability to go under the surface of a lot of things in life and dig out some treasures. He was such a deep brother, such a considerate man very much aware of his failings and flaws. Some of his dips were big, but he never lost a grip on the reality of God and what He could do in his life.

It had been years since I’d seen him, but when we met up again it just felt a little like picking up from where we left off. Something about him always made him sharp and perceptive to things. He picked up a vibe about me and immediately went into encouragement mode. The way he looked to help me out was to remind me of a familiar episode in the gospel narratives where Jesus asks His disciples to let Him know who people think He is. After getting the width of answers all of which missed the points, Jesus gets personal and asks: Who do you say I am?

Answering the question has huge implications for our faith. That answer betrays the level of intimacy in the relationship with Jesus. Some people know words about Jesus and can recite what they heard in a song about Him. But life is full of characters who can quote scripture to herself. Yet what good is that knowledge if not applied to deepen relations. The more we know someone the more we can stand up not just to say words we read, but also to declare who we know Him to by experience.

As we know more about who He is, so He becomes more known to us. The more He is known to us, the more we will want to know Him. Life gives plenty of opportunities to catch up.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden