It can feel like we live most of our lives in the waiting room.
This is the question every one of us will need to answer in our lives. Who is Jesus really?
Not, “Who is Jesus to you?” But “Who do you say Jesus is?” There’s a difference.
Asking who He is to you implies that you get to determine His identity. That “your truth” (a phrase I vehemently abhor) supercedes The Truth. And it does not. It cannot.
There is an absolute truth in the world, despite what culture would have us believe. If there were not, then nothing would be true at all. What we really mean when we say things like “my truth” is “my perspective.”
And this is one of the reasons our “tolerant” culture is actually only tolerant to the point of offense. Once you offend me or disagree with me, I no longer have to tolerate you.
We do this scripture all the time – well-meaning, sure – but still incorrect. How many times have you lived this scenario…
Who is Jesus really?
You go to a Bible study or a small group with your church. Or heaven forbid, you experience this from the pulpit. And whoever is leading reads a verse or two from the Bible, then poses this question: What does this verse mean to you?
Way. Wrong. Question.
Scripture means what it means. Its meaning does not change because of one person’s understanding. If someone is color blind and thinks green is red, does that inherently change the color red for everyone? Nope. Because one person’s interpretation does not equate to absolute truth. Even if half the population was on board – red is still red and green is still green.
One interpretation does not immediately equate to absolute truth.
If you want to know what scripture means, best to study it. The answers are not hidden from us. It means what it means. The real question is whether or not we accept that meaning, regardless of how uncomfortable it might make us or how much it might outright offend our sensibilities.
Regardless of whether or not it affirms what we want it to.
Likewise, the identity of Christ is not up for debate. He was a man; He was not just a man. He is Savior, but He is not just Savior. He is also Lord.
Back to the question at hand: who do you say that He is? And if you answered – as Peter did – that He is Lord, then I have another question for you: how does His lordship change the things around you?
The waiting room we are all stuck in.
The bills that haven’t been paid.
The loved one that hasn’t been healed.
The pain of unmet desires.
The bad news that came out of left field.
How does the lordship of Jesus change the circumstances and experiences around you?
If you really believed that Jesus was Lord, how would any of this be different?
Better question: is He still Lord even if none of it is different?
Maybe it’s not about Jesus changing our circumstances; maybe it’s about Him changing our outlook on our circumstances.
I know I’m still waiting. But Jesus is lord over this situation, so it’s on Him to figure out. I’m just gonna sit here in my waiting room and flip through this Highlights magazine until He calls my name.
Those bills are hefty this month, but Jesus is lord over my finances, so I don’t have to stress over this – I just have to honor the Lord.
It hurts to watch our loved ones in pain, knowing that Jesus could heal them. But since He is lord, we can rejoice that a greater healing is taking place in areas we can’t see. Nothing is wasted. Not our pain or theirs.
Maybe it’s not about Jesus changing our circumstances; maybe it’s about Him changing our outlook on our circumstances.
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