
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:10
Who is this? The question echoes throughout the gospels and down through time to us. Who is this Jesus? Then and now, how we answer that question depends in large part upon how we see Jesus through the lens of our own particular lives. A complete answer to the question will forever, in this life, elude us, but there are some things we can agree on.
He was certainly not what any of us expected: born in a stable; friend and companion of sinners and outcasts; constant critic of the powerful, respectable, religious and well -to-do; upsetter of the social and political order; a servant king….not what anyone would have predicted at all.
He is certainly not what most of us want most of the time. He asks too much. He’s not content with a tithe of our lives. Having given up everything in love for us, he asks the same in return. He wants all of us—heart, mind and soul—not just the part we are willing to share with him.
He is, thanks be to God, what we so desperately need: light, life, love, truth, meaning, purpose, hope, healing, wholeness, peace.
Who is this? This Advent, with faith, hope and great joy, let us answer, “Immanuel, God with us, the Prince of Peace!”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Grant us the wisdom and the will to live lives that reflect a true and faithful answer to the question “Who is this Jesus?” With Christians in all times and places and especially in this holy season of Advent, we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” AMEN.
Today’s reflection was written by Frank Dodson, a member of First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport
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