Come and SeeEsimerkki

The world has much to say about how to gather followers. Having the right look, expressing the popular opinion, and keeping people entertained are some of the ways to build a platform. If the goal of Jesus had been popularity and status, then He could have built an impressive following for Himself. With the right performance, He could have been a celebrity teacher, loved and admired by all. But Jesus didn’t play by these rules. He constantly chose privacy over publicity, holiness over approval, and His Father’s glory over His own. Each step of His earthly ministry was contrary to what people expected. As a result, the people were greatly divided over who He was and whether they should believe in Him. Was He a good man or a liar? A lunatic or Messiah? And in the thousands of years since then, the question of “Who is Jesus?” has continued to be the subject of much debate and division. But those who truly listen to His words hear the clarity of Truth that rings forth. At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus spoke to the divided crowd in a way that seemed to answer the confusion with, “Who else could I be?” Who else could teach with such authority and wisdom? Who else could perform such miraculous signs? Who else could live a life without sin? Who else endlessly sought to honor His Father? People tend to quickly judge what they don’t understand. Assumptions are easily made based on distance and unfamiliarity with no grounding on what is righteous and true. Yet every action and word of Jesus consistently demonstrated the character and power of Almighty God. If someone truly seeks Him, the evidence is clear. In the book of Matthew, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” The response of Peter rings true: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This is the truth we put our faith in. There is no middle ground and no passive stance when it comes to the person of Jesus. A side must be picked. Choose wisely who you will follow. DAILY READING Read John 7 CHRISTMAS CONNECTION At Christmas, we celebrate how Jesus came as Immanuel, “God with us.” His presence means that He hears us. Make a list of people who still have not decided to follow Jesus. Pray for them every day until Christmas.