Pastor Tim's Points
"Who do we say Jesus is?" This is a variation on a question in Sunday's scriptures. Jesus asks the Disciples, "Who do people say I am?" They reply, John the Baptist, Elijah, or a Prophet. Then Jesus turns in on them and says, "Who do YOU say I am? Only Peter calls him the Messiah/Savior. And yet, Peter's concept of the mission of the Messiah is not correct. He doesn't see Jesus as the suffering Messiah but as a conqueror.
As I have been reflecting upon the scriptures for Sunday, I am reminded that "who Jesus is to us," varies from person to person. Often times the Jesus we see is the one we want, but not necessarily the one we need, because the one we need often challenges our status quo and invites us to wrestle with God's call for our lives. There are times when we might not even think much about Jesus as "Messiah," as much as friend who can help us out. Still others can avoid the whole question, because if/when we ask it, we might find ourselves facing truths that we would rather not face.
That last point? Well, that's what Lent is about. This season of reflection and introspection invites us to intentionally ask the hard questions. Lent is a time to do things differently, but maybe more to think and/or approach life differently. It is a season that breaks us down, in preparation for the new life of Easter.
As you prepare to come to church on Sunday, first remember to turn your (non-self-setting) clocks FORWARD before you go to sleep, but even more importantly, think about who Jesus is to you? Why do you follow Him? Why does He love you? What is the example He lays out for us that we are being invited to emulate?
Hope to see you all Sunday as we continue to live into this beautiful, challenging, season of Lent!
Pastor Tim
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