"Who do you say that I am?"

...As Jesus and the disciples looked around at the plethora of Roman gods memorialized all around them, Jesus posed a question: "Who do the people say that I am?" He followed up with a more pointed version, "Who do YOU say that I am?"

As we approach Christmas day, this confrontation seems apropos once again. We are approaching the day to celebrate the birth of a special baby boy in the midst of a plethora of new gods clamoring for our attention: the seasonal gods of shopping and gift giving, cooking and eating, holiday parties, work bonuses, TV specials, decorations, and travel plans.

In thinking about this question, I must say that I can FEEL it. Somehow, it goes beyond my intellect and resonates deep in my soul. "Who do I say that he is?"

Perhaps you, too, can take a few quiet moments to ponder the question. "Who do you say that I am?" Before offering your answer, keep in mind the context in which Jesus asked it - 1) not to novices, but to his own disciples; 2) in the midst of the gods; 3) just before saying "He who would follow must take up his own cross. If you hang on to your life, you will lose it. If you give up you life for me, you'll find it."

So, who is Jesus? How does your life answer that question? How does soul answer the question?

"Who do you say that I am?" -Jesus Christ