Christ

2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Luke 9:18-21

As we move into Lent focusing on the Cross, it seems appropriate that we first look at Christ.  Can we honestly focus on the cross without thinking about CHRIST?  Of course not.  Focusing on the cross means focusing on Christ.  Whether it be the Cross hanging in our church or the crosses in our homes, the symbol of the cross is to remind us of Christ and the message of love and grace.  As we focus on the cross we seek to understand who Christ is.

Who was Jesus to the people who knew him and walked with him?

The people in those days knew Jesus as the man who was the carpenter’s son.  Before his baptism and his return from the wilderness, most people knew him simply as Mary and Joseph’s son.  Jesus walked among them as a son, a brother, simply a man.

As He began his ministry they soon saw him as a Rabbi, a Preacher, a Healer, a Miracle Worker, a Friend, and a Teacher.  He became so well known that thousands of people would come to hear him speak and follow him on his journey through the countryside.  They were amazed by the miracles he performed and astonished by some of the parables he used.  Many of the Jewish leaders weren’t happy with him or his teachings but the people loved him.

We read this morning that when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”  They respond with, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” The people couldn’t fully understand that He was Emmanuel…God with Us.  Then he asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?”  It was only Peter who answered, “The Messiah”.  Yet we have to wonder, what did Messiah mean to them?  For Peter the word Messiah meant Jesus was the anointed one sent from God to save them.

Unfortunately the disciples and the people took this from an earthly perspective.  They saw something in Jesus they had long been awaiting…they saw the long awaited heir to King David who would overthrow the Romans and become their King.  They saw the worldly man who would save them from the politically oppression they had been under.  They had him on a worldly pedestal, so when he fell from that pedestal they turned on him.

When he was passive at his arrest and didn’t fight back they thought they had been duped.  There is no way that this meek man, was going to lead any kind of rebellion to save them, so when Pilate asked what to do with him, they cried out, “Crucify him.”

Jesus was so much more than what these people could see.  They saw a human – they missed the divine.

It took until Easter morning for the disciples to completely understand who Jesus was and what it meant to say that Jesus was the Messiah – the Christ.

So who is Christ to us today?  During this Lenten season as we focus on the cross – how does it connect you with Christ?  Who or what do you see?  How would you respond if someone asked you, “Who do you say this Jesus is?”

Is he just a nice guy who seemed to love everyone?  Is he just a great teacher who knew how to tell a good story?

How would you answer?

It makes a difference who you say Jesus is when you look to the cross.  If you cannot see beyond his humanness, you simply picture a man hanging on a cross and dying in agony?

If you simply see the son of Joseph and Mary who you hoped would save you from enduring the pain and frustrations of this world – you will be disappointed.

Jesus was and is so much more than this. As heard from our reading from 2 Corinthians 5:16:

“even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.”

Jesus is God’s Son, whom He chose to send to earth to teach and show all humanity what true love God has for us and how we can share that love with each other.  When we still could not learn, still could not see or understand that kind of love….He went to the cross and took our sins with him – showing us the ultimate sacrifice of love.

Again we heard this in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

He sacrificed himself so that we can fully understand a love that will go that far for all of us.

In his sermon “If You are the King of the Jews…” King Duncan tells the story of Actor Kevin Bacon.  Kevin had a conversation with his six-year-old son after the boy had seen the movie, Footloose for the first time. Bacon’s son said, “Dad, that was really cool how you jumped up on the roof and swung from the rafters. How did you do that?”

“Well, son,” said Bacon, “I didn’t actually do that part. A stunt man did.”

“What’s a stunt man?” asked his son.

“That’s someone who dresses like me,” said Bacon, “and does things I can’t do. Things that are too dangerous.”

“Oh, well, what about that part in the movie where you spin around on that gym bar and land on your feet,” persisted the boy. “How did you do that?”

“Well, son,” said Bacon, “that was the stunt man again, not me. He’s really good at gymnastics.”

“Oh,” said his son. Then there was a long pause. “Dad,” his son asked, “just what did you do in the movie?”

Bacon sheepishly replied, “I got all the glory.”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Someone took his place that he might receive the glory.

So take another look at the cross… Instead of a man who let you down hanging there…see the TRUTH!  Jesus Christ is there…lovingly holding out His arms and calling us to Him.

For us today, Christ has already endured the pain of the cross so we might be forgiven and enjoy Eternal Life with Him.  The knowledge we have of a risen Christ gives a deeper meaning to the cross itself.  We know we have Savior who came to take on our sins, suffer the penalty we deserved …all because He loved us and wanted us to be with Him in paradise forever.

Through Jesus Christ we have the Glory of Heaven for all Eternity!

How will you answer, “Who is Jesus to you?”