Who is Jesus?

"And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man." others said, "No, he is leading the people astray." John 7:12

"The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" John 7:15

"Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where he comes from and when the Christ appears, no one will konw where he comes from." John 7:25-27

Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?" John 7:31

When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This really is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said "Is the Christ to come from Galilee?.... So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. John 7:40-41,43

As you can see, in chapter 7 of the gospel of John, there is great interest and confusion over who Jesus really is. As I read these verses and the questions being asked, I am stuck by how similar these questions are to the ones asked today about Jesus.

• Was he just a good man?
• Was he just a good teacher?
• Was he crazy or mentally unstable?
• Was he the Son of God, Christ, Messiah?

The words and actions of Jesus do not allow us to treat his identity and character casually. He is either a liar, a lunitic or he is Lord. Everyone of us, as believers and even non-believers for that matter, must answer the following questions:

• Who is Jesus?
• Do we believe it?
• Does it show?

As I am now venturing through my second time of reading the Bible through in a year, I seem to be reminded repeatedly as I read that what it means to follow Christ is much different than what I have believed it to be in the past. To follow Christ means to be obedient and in ways that I think we have neglected. God makes it clear throughout his word what he demands of us. We just have to read it to know what that is. I am afraid what I have believed for much of my Christian life to be a Christ-like life falls way short of what it really means to follow him. How about you?