Palm Sunday: To Tell the Truth
Matthew 16:15 [Jesus is speaking to his disciples]
"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'"
You are the one currently seated in the spotlight.
The question is repeated.
"But what about you?--Who do you say I am?"
Silence enters the room like a train slowly clacking its way through town.
You begin a response, "I--uh--I--well--um--at church, they said--"
Jesus kindly interrupts in order to save you, and to get the conversation back on track.
"I asked who you say I am. I didn't ask about your church--or any organized religion--for that matter."
His voice lowers to a whisper. "Please, tell me who you say I am.--Who am I to you?"
Sustained silence. The question swirls in my head like leaves in a wind tunnel.
Who do I think Jesus is?--He's Jesus, of course, but who is Jesus to me?
John 12:13
"They [the great crowd that had come for the festival] took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!'
'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'
'Blessed is the king of Israel!'"
The great crowd knew who Jesus was. Who do I say He is?
I Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Always have an answer. I think it is time for me to stop my "activity" in order to formulate a response.
Psalm 46:10
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
If you do not have an answer to this question, let me offer a few suggestions for reading in order for you to develop your own response. For each of us need to be able to answer this question for ourselves.
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 14:6
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
This Palm Sunday reflect on who Jesus is to you.
Read one or more of the Gospel accounts this Easter season.
Prepare an answer.
Believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
Prayer: Almighty God,
Hosanna! Jesus is the Word, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thank You for sending Your Son. Thank You for the truth of Your Word in Scripture. Guide me to a better understanding of who You are. Help me to be prepared to have an answer to who You are in my life. Help me grow closer to You during this Holy Week. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
