So, who is this Jesus?

Scripture for the day: John 9:35-38 "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him."

Thought for the day: So, who is He, this Jesus? Is He a man, a prophet, or the Son of God? How we answer that question is the most important decision we'll ever make; and let's not toss it off as unimportant because we're already Christians, as if the question had no further meaning. The import of that question follows us all our lives.

In this wonderful story of healing, we can see the progression of faith for the man born blind. First, he recognized Jesus as a great man (“A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes.” – v.11) who had done a wonderful thing in his life. Well, I should think so! The man had been blind and essentially helpless all his life. Just the fact that his parents were involved in the whole episode tells me he was probably still dependent on them for his very existence. Not any more! It was time to go get a job, pay his own bills and take his rightful place in society. He'd been set free from the bondage of a sightless existence – and was he happy!

As he was being questioned almost endlessly by the Pharisees about this man who restored his sight, he suddenly became awakened to the fact that there was more to this Jesus than a good man. Suddenly, as he was answering their questions, the man shifted his opinion of Jesus and called him a prophet (“He is a prophet.” – v.17). Well, there's quite a difference between an ordinary man and a prophet. Ordinary men are from nowhere in particular and are about as common as flies. But prophets are men called out from God for something special. Everyone in town knew how special prophets were in the old days. They were the ones who shouted from the rooftops the words God gave them, forthtelling His word and sometimes predicting what the Lord would be doing in Israel. They were highly esteemed and it would be important for the religious leaders to know if one were among them, particularly since there had been none for over 400 years. Yes indeed, if this Jesus were a prophet, that would change everything. He'd have to be treated differently, looked up to more highly and taken a lot more seriously.

But what if He were the Son of God? Men are as common as flies; prophets were rare but not unheard of, but there could only be one Son of God! Yet, that's exactly what the man came to believe about Jesus (v.38). What a revelation that must have been, to go from a simple thank you to worship in a matter of hours.

If He's a man, I thank him - a prophet, I honor him - the Son of God, I worship him.

If He's a man, I go with him - a prophet, I sit and learn from him - the Son of God, I follow Him.

If he's a man, I'm his equal - a prophet, his pupil - the Son of God, his servant

If he's a man, I stand with him - a prophet, I sit at his feet - the Son of God, I bow down.

Who is this Jesus? The question isn't a one-time quiz, the answer to which determines our eternal destiny. The question is one that follows us all our lives. Who is He in our relationships with others? Who is He in our career choices? Who is He in the daily routine of life; in the times of crisis? Who is He when we get up and when we lie down? Who is He every moment?

Now go take on your world. - Bill