evangelism risk venturing a response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”
How are we able to demonstrate, as have evangelical Christians, that we proclaim Jesus as
Messiah? Are we talking?
We may as well admit that, for us, Jesus cannot be wrapped up neatly, solved in a film. Where
certain Christians seem clear about who Jesus is and what it means to believe, we hesitate.
If we
were to give voice to Jesus’ question, we would have any number of responses.
We proclaim Jesus to be totally human and totally divine. We speak of Jesus as being the
incarnation of God’s love. We even speak of Jesus as being basically God.
For some it is important to refer to Jesus as a great teacher. Others look to Jesus as a model
for what God intends us to be.
We refer to Jesus as our Sacrificial Lamb who died for our sins – an image that is problematic in
some regards, but one we would not wish to throw out completely.
We know of people who speak of the way they turn to Jesus to provide personal comfort in
difficult times in their lives, and we may have had such moments ourselves.
We sometimes speak of Jesus as an ongoing presence, or as a guide in life.
Perhaps it is the multi-dimensional understanding we have of Jesus that makes us hesitant to say
who Jesus is. Maybe we feel that the brevity of Peter would not suffice in our modern culture.
Whatever causes us to remain silent, realize that when we choose not to speak, we allow others to
speak for the church. We allow others to interpret who Jesus is today.
If we find the interpretations of other Christians to be acceptable, there is no reason to suggest
our own. If, however, we find ourselves in a situation similar to Peter – one where the description of
Christ falls short – then Christ may be better served if we speak.
Are we talking?
Amen.
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