Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 Who is Jesus? “And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ” Mark 8:27-31 Dear Sisters and Brothers, To answer the question ’’Who is Jesus?” in a short meditation seems to be a monumental task. Many people have tried to answer this question throughout church and world history. Jesus is greater than our human minds and understanding. In this meditation, we are following a conversation between Jesus and His Disciples as it is recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Miracles, signs, and healings from Christ’s earthly ministry are recorded in the Bible. Those who met him recognized that He was extraordinary. In one Biblical story, Jesus walks in Cesaria Philippi and the surrounding villages and asks His Disciples, “Who do people say that I am? ” Jesus does not pose this question because he is curious - He knows what is in the hearts and minds of people. He was teaching His Disciples with this question. They replied, “John the Baptist, and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets. ” We can find similar answers even today. People heard John the Baptist’s preaching, which called for repentance of their sins and for them to turn to God. They experienced prophetic power in the message. But Herod, his murderer, spread the message that John the Baptist was resurrected and that is why signs, healings, and miracles were present. The Pilates and Herods of the world, both in Jesus’ times and now, try to justify their sins and themselves by spreading false news. John the Baptist, for example, was in fact killed, not resurrected. Jesus, however, was resurrected. He is the resurrection and the life, and whoever believes in Him - though he dies - shall live. Just as some were led to confuse Jesus’ identity with John, others were led to confuse him with Elijah. The power of God was present In Elijah’s life and ministry, so many associated Jesus’ ministry with the manifestation of the divine power that Elijah had also experienced. Some believed that Jesus was a prophet because he revealed mysterious things of the future, but man in Israel did not recognize that Jesus was more than a prophet and is the Messiah, the Christ. In our time, there are many books published, lectures presented, and films produced about Jesus and his times. Religious people still believe that He a miracle-doer. Some believe that He was a religious genius. Others mention His name as a heritage from the past and an influential figure of Western civilization. But Jesus is more than all of that; He is the living Lord and Savior of humankind. ’’Jesus Christ is the same yesterday; today, and forever’’ (Hebrews 13:8). How did the Disciples come to the recognition that their Master is the Messiah? When they met Him they experienced the extraordinary power which Jesus manifested in healings, miracles, and teachings. When Jesus called them, they followed Him. Jesus is calling us to be His disciples and follow Him even today. Do we hear this call? Are we willing to follow Him and His teaching? The relationship between us and God is most important one of our lives. For the Disciples it was a close everyday relationship. Jesus prepared them to remain His faithful disciples even after His departure to heaven. Their ministry was to proclaim and to witness about the Gospel and God’s salvation. Jesus called to Himself those who the heavenly Father destined. Those who received the gift of faith were able to confess Christ as the Messiah through the Holy Spirit. When Jesus further questioned his Disciples and asked them to give a testimony of their faith, Peter stepped up and said, “You are the Messiah (Christ).” Peter’s confession of faith is the right one; he received the revelation of God’s truth about Jesus. After his confession, Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Peter received the commission from Christ. His name in Greek, Petros, means ’’rock.” The church is built on the testimony of those disciples whose faith is like a rock and the evil forces cannot be victorious against the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave new life and a new name to those who He called. This new life is connected with Christ, but the source is not of this world. The flesh and blood will not be able to recognize Christ. Only with the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit can we know who Christ is. The disciples of Christ live in this world with a heavenly commission: ”Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, Lord and Savior. Yes Jesus is God, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yours in His Service Bishop Poznan
