RED LETTERS

Mark 8:27
"Who do men say that I am?"

If you study Scripture for any length of time you see a pattern where Jesus always throws to the people the idea that they are going to have to decide for themselves who he really is.
Prophet?
Priest?
Lunatic?
Carpenter?
Messiah?

Many make the decision based on their own assumptions and experiences in life. They had heard neighbors talk of this Jesus. He healed a man. He raised a young girl from the dead. He was an incredible teacher. He spoke with authority. He could not be trapped in legal snares set by the Pharisees. Who is this Jesus?

We are in the same boat today. Do you fully know why you believe Jesus to be who he is to you?
For many the belief comes from something as simple as "that is who they say he is at church."
We let others decide who Jesus really is. We let them do the research and spend time with Him and then come and tell us.
We want Max Lucado to tell us who Jesus is. (No offense Mr. Lucado)
We want Joel Osteen to tell us who Jesus is.
We want the Southern Baptist Association or the Association of Vineyard Churches to tell us what to believe about this Jesus.
Bottom line is that Jesus is wanting to reveal Himself to each of us.
He wants to come and intervene in our lives and for us to experience His presence and fullness.

We have relegated belief in Jesus to a mission statement, or a cliched slogan, or a bumper sticker. Jesus still goes straight to the heart of the matter and asks the same question that has crossed centuries, cultures and continents. "Who do men say that I am?"

God on you.........
mb