But Who Do You Say I Am?

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books. 

June 20, 2023

But Who Do You Say I Am? 

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 

The Apostle John was not boasting of his personal relationship with Jesus. His invitation to share in fellowship was based on one of the greatest mysteries, and one of the greatest blessings, of the Christian faith. While John did have the opportunity to walk and talk with Jesus face to face, by faith, the followers of Jesus may enjoy a communion with Jesus just as intimate as did the original disciples. The sacrament of Holy Communion is a place where we experience anew the presence of Jesus in our lives as we look forward to his coming again in final victory.

My knowledge of Jesus comes first from what I heard from others who knew him. Then I turned to scripture and my knowledge about Jesus increased. Then one day I heard Jesus’ question in scripture as though he was standing right next to me: “But who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). The first time I had this experience, I think I responded with the words of Peter in scripture, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). On other occasions, I responded to Jesus with words I had heard from a pulpit, or from another person. But then came the day when the words of Peter and of others seem somehow hollow; they’re the words of others, not my words. Praise God! On that special day Jesus called me unto himself. From now on when I speak of Jesus, I use my own personal words because like John, I have spoken to Jesus, and I have heard Jesus speak to me.

My Takeaway: If you haven’t had an experience of hearing Jesus ask you, “But who do you say I am?” – hold on, your day is coming. In the meantime, you can begin preparing your answer. Imagine a young child asks you, “Who is Jesus to you?” How do you answer?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.