7th March 09
Saturday of the First week of Lent
Who is Jesus to Us?
Mark 8:27-30
In this passage Jesus asks two questions which centre on His identity. In the first question, Jesus’ disciples were asked who the Jewish crowd thought Him to be. These people had heard Jesus teach and seen Him perform wonders. Jesus wasn’t a street-entertainer, performing and speaking to amuse people. There were high stakes involved----what He did must lead to a decision about who He was. The disciples rehearsed the crowds’ answers. As respectful as these might be, they did not penetrate to the heart of the matter.
So the next question followed. Indeed, the earlier question was meant to prepare the ground for it. What did the disciples themselves think of Jesus? We know Peter gave the answer that showed true understanding of Jesus’ identity, i.e. Jesus was the Messiah (Christ).
We seldom consider that Jesus’ questions are the profoundest that we can ever encounter because the answers we give not only reveal what kind of people we really are, but also determine what kind of people we will be. To know Him, as John 17:3 puts it, is life eternal.
Many Singaporeans know what philosophers, pop-stars, scholars or intimate friends have said about Jesus. It is no use just knowing what others think of Jesus. We must make our own assessment and personalize out answer. We may hang around with the church-going crowd, and worship at the biggest and most exciting churches. All this means nothing I we cannot personalize out answer to the question of Jesus’ identity. Who is Jesus to us? The new heaven and new earth are populated by believers and disciples, not onlookers or those just tagging along.
Dr Tan Kim Huat,
Dean Of Studies, Trinity Theological College
Commitment:
Lord Jesus, lead me away from the noise of the world to the true voice that speaks from your Word. Instead of relying on what others think of you, let me know you personally.
Prayer:
Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Amen.
Saturday of the First week of Lent
Who is Jesus to Us?
Mark 8:27-30
In this passage Jesus asks two questions which centre on His identity. In the first question, Jesus’ disciples were asked who the Jewish crowd thought Him to be. These people had heard Jesus teach and seen Him perform wonders. Jesus wasn’t a street-entertainer, performing and speaking to amuse people. There were high stakes involved----what He did must lead to a decision about who He was. The disciples rehearsed the crowds’ answers. As respectful as these might be, they did not penetrate to the heart of the matter.
So the next question followed. Indeed, the earlier question was meant to prepare the ground for it. What did the disciples themselves think of Jesus? We know Peter gave the answer that showed true understanding of Jesus’ identity, i.e. Jesus was the Messiah (Christ).
We seldom consider that Jesus’ questions are the profoundest that we can ever encounter because the answers we give not only reveal what kind of people we really are, but also determine what kind of people we will be. To know Him, as John 17:3 puts it, is life eternal.
Many Singaporeans know what philosophers, pop-stars, scholars or intimate friends have said about Jesus. It is no use just knowing what others think of Jesus. We must make our own assessment and personalize out answer. We may hang around with the church-going crowd, and worship at the biggest and most exciting churches. All this means nothing I we cannot personalize out answer to the question of Jesus’ identity. Who is Jesus to us? The new heaven and new earth are populated by believers and disciples, not onlookers or those just tagging along.
Dr Tan Kim Huat,
Dean Of Studies, Trinity Theological College
Commitment:
Lord Jesus, lead me away from the noise of the world to the true voice that speaks from your Word. Instead of relying on what others think of you, let me know you personally.
Prayer:
Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Amen.
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