THE GREATEST QUESTION EVER ASKED

“Who is Jesus?”

NOTE: This message is due in large part to the efforts and thoughts of Dr. Karl Eastlack of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church and Dr. Norman G. Wilson of the Wesleyan Hour and the Wesleyan Advocate. The key points are from their sermons that were a part of the Forty Days of Prayer and Fast series “A Place to Stand” intended for the 2003 Lenten season.

Matthew 16:13-17

June 29, 2003am

Identity is important. Christian Hertner was running hard for re-election as governor of Massachusetts, and one day he arrived late to a barbeque. He had not eaten breakfast, so he was quite hungry. As he moved along the serving line, he held out his plate and received only one piece of chicken. The governor said to the serving lady, “Excuse me, do you mind if I get another piece of chicken? I’m very hungry.”

“Sorry, I’m supposed to give only one piece per person,” the woman replied.

“But, I’m starved,” he repeated.

Again she said, “Only one to a customer, sir.”

Hertner was normally a modest man, but he decided this was one time to use the weight of his office and so he said, “Do you know who I am? I’m the governor of this state.”

“Do you know who I am?” she answered. “I’m the lady in charge of chicken. Now move along, mister.”

Who somebody is and their characteristics gives a person a certain quality of life. For Governor Hertner, he felt that his role as governor perhaps allowed him an extra piece of chicken. To the lady in charge of the chicken, her role gave her the power to decide whether he actually got that extra piece or not. Who somebody is does make a difference.

Today’s text points us to a very serious question about Jesus Christ. Because, you see, if we do not understand the question then we cannot comprehend the answer. We must realize the reality of who Jesus Christ is and how his very existence calls us into question rather than us calling him into question.

One day, Jesus was walking with his disciples and he asked them, “Who do men say that I am?” They provided him with various answers. And then Jesus asked them this very powerful question: “Who do you say that I am?”

Who is Jesus?

This question will be the centerpiece of our message from the Lord today. It is my desire that you sense throughout this sermon the Holy Spirit asking you this very question. Because in giving the answer we will find ourselves testifying to who we really are as believers in Jesus Christ and what it really means to be a Christian.

In a May program of the O’Rielly Factor, Bill O’Rielly was interviewing Patricia Ireland who was the former president of the National Organization for Women and is now the new president and CEO of the Young Christian Women’s Organization. Many Christians were very upset that she was selected to lead a “Christian” group such as the YWCA due to her past anti-Christian stands on issues of family and pre-natal life. In light of this Bill O’Reilly asked her if she was a Christian. She began her answer by saying that she came from Christian roots and had a Christian background. He stopped her in her tracks and then asked a very pointed question: Do you believe that Jesus is God? To say yes meant that she was indeed a Christian. To say would be to admit that she was not.

Folks, she would not answer the question. And for the life of me I cannot understand why. Why is it so hard for some to give an honest answer. I have genuine respect for someone who is honest and says, “No, I do not accept the claims that Jesus makes nor do I accept him as God.” Okay, I disagree, but the answer is honest.

But the point I want to make is how important it is for us to realize that calling card of the Christian faith is that Jesus is God. This is what separates us from everybody else and the other pretenders out there.

With that aside, who is Jesus?

This question has three parts to it and each part gives us a point to consider about Jesus Christ.

1. The Question is a Perennial Question.

Jesus was asking a question that begged to be answered and a question that would bring a myriad of answers. If I asked any of you this morning who Jesus is you would give me a variety of answers: Savior of the world, the Living Word of God, and so on. In his day, he was called Teacher, Rabbi, and Lamb of God.

Dr. Karl Easlack makes a point in noting where Jesus asked his disciples this all important question. They were in the area called Caesarea Philippi, on the southwestern slope of Mount Hermon, about twenty-five miles northeast of the sea of Galilee. The local population was not Jewish, and they were susceptible to pagan worship practices. Caesar worship saturated this city, which was also the home to fourteen temples of Baal. The most worshiped god in this region was Pan, the universal god. It was at this crossroad of heathenism that Jesus asked his closest followers, “Who do people say that I am?”

None of us needs to go to a pagan city to see other competing gods. Every where we go- school, work, the store or even family reunions we encounter those that are opposite of Jesus Christ. However, each one of them must answer the same question. And what a challenge to us if they are giving the wrong answer.

What answer do our family members give? What about our friends? Or neighbors? Have we ever bothered to find out what they know about Jesus? This is a perennial question.

Not only is it a perennial question but it is also a personal question.

2. The Question is a Personal Question.

Everyone has their own opinion about something. Every Sunday morning you can bother yourself with the latest political debates about how the president is doing or what the latest argument is in Congress. We are all entitled to our opinion but the reality is that it doesn’t mean that our opinion is right.

Everyone seems to have some kind of opinion about Jesus. What is your opinion? Who is Jesus?

To be honest and straight forward, your options really are not that many. We all can agree that Jesus was a great man. There is no question that he has had the greatest influence on the human race. No other person has ever impacted history like Jesus. In fact, the honest person will be driven to one of four answers:

a) Legend. There are those who might believe that Jesus never truly existed. Everything written or spoken about Jesus is untrue and made up. This legend has been going on for centuries. If you believe that Jesus was a legend then you are probably a part of a very small group of people because there is more and more evidence for his existence than ever before. There is more evidence, more historical record, more textual proof and more data for the existence of Jesus Christ than for almost any other person in the world.

b) Liar. You might conclude that Jesus was a liar. He was deceiving people all over the place. For whatever reason, he had the ability to fool people, even those who were some of the most brilliant of his time. The greatest lie was supposed to be his resurrection. But ten of his twelve closest followers died for that “great lie.” Would you die for what you knew to be a lie? Jesus could not have been a liar.

c) Lunatic. But perhaps Jesus was a lunatic. Afterall, there are those out in the world who proclaim all sorts of things that are untrue and call these people psychotic or demented. Only a madman would say the sort of things that Jesus said. But how do you explain his miracles, his words of love, his compassion and his common sense? How do still explain the empty tomb?

d) Lord. The only real viable answer left is that Jesus is Lord. There are no other options. And because it is, it becomes personal. Jesus looked around this group of men for an answer. “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter steps forward with a declaration that would follow him the rest of his life all the way to an upside down crucifixion.

The question of “Who is Jesus?” brings us to this final observation:

3. The Question is a Powerful Question.

Your answer to the question will have a powerful effect on your entire life. It will affect your priorities, your values, your passions and the purpose for your existence. Everything you do in life: who you marry, where you work and how you spend your money will be summed in the answer that you give about Jesus Christ.

But even more importantly, how you answer the question will decide where you spend eternity. Jesus tells us that no one gets to God except through him. His death paid the penalty for our sins, and his resurrection provided the proof of eternal life for those who follow him.

You can ignore the question and in so doing ignore such a great salvation. But you cannot ignore the fact of Jesus Christ. He is too big and too important to just ignore. This man, Jesus, was more than an ordinary man. He was the Son of God.

So what will you do with this question: Who is Jesus? How do you answer the question in your own life? Have you decided already that Jesus is Lord? Have you confessed with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead? If so then you will be saved.

Norman Wilson, who has been the speaker for the Wesleyan hour and the editor of the Wesleyan Advocate shared this experience of a trip to Israel.

While visiting several places such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem and others of intrigue they were led by a tour guide who was born near Jericho. Over and over the people of the group were amazed by his knowledge of Biblical facts. At every point of interest, he quoted freely from the Old and New Testament. And while visiting places most important to the life of Jesus such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem- he spoke with a great respect and even reverence about Jesus. He knew more about Jesus Christ than many Christians do and had a deep respect for Jesus of Nazareth.

Intrigued by the fellow’s knowledge of Christ, one of the group members asked if he were a Christian. He replied that he was not. He was a follower of Muhammed. Dr. Wilson then asked him of his opinion about Jesus and he replied that Jesus was a great prophet, sent from God. He believed that jesus lived and taught in ancient Palenstine. He believed that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth, and died outside the gates of Jerusalem. He believed that Jesus spoke many powerful words and he believed those words to be true. He believed everything about Jesus, except this- he did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

Maybe this describes you this morning. You believe everything about Jesus. Perhaps you know all the facts of his life. Maybe you know very little or you’re somewhere in between. But the very truth that we need to all face today is that Jesus is the Son of God, he died for your sins and arose from the dead.

And why? Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

And the perennial, personal and powerful question for you to answer today will make the difference for all of eternity: Who is Jesus?