Scripture: Luke 9:18
Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
Thought for the Day: The struggles seen among a wide-range of Christian traditions often hang on this question. Now personally, I am frustrated when people seem confused or even angry when my answer differs from their answer. The frustration is not because we differ, but because of the confusion or anger that comes from the fact that other answers might exist. Let’s be real honest, even among “orthodox” thinkers, there are some widely held beliefs in regard to who Jesus was and is. I’ve suggested it before, but I always try to push people to answer the question: Why do you believe what you claim to believe and how did you come to that? Of course, some will say: “Oh, I just read the Bible.” Well so do I, and so do many other people who come to a thousand different conclusions. We all have a lens through which we understand the Gospel. For many, it is a handful of scriptures that seem to provide a clear picture of who Jesus was, and what a follower of Jesus should be. Take time to wrestle with your top three of four passages (key stories) within scripture that shape your particular take on the Gospel. Then take a little time to reflect on other passages that might be central to other people. And then, for fun, throw into the mix your unique life experiences and family traditions that shape your reading of those passages. It won’t bring us to some wonderful Kumbaya Moment, but it will help to create understanding and appreciation of others… and maybe a place to begin healthy conversations.
Prayer: Continue to provide within us a yearning to know Jesus, O Lord, and to understand his call upon our lives. Encourage us to listen to others who may provide a unique perspective on how to follow your gift to the world. Amen.
