Who Was He Really?

Who Was He Really?

We all know George Washington. He’s the guy in the powdered wig and long coat who sells cars and furniture every February. And he’s willing to cross the Delaware to bring you the biggest savings of the year! Does it ever bother you that, as we celebrate Washington’s birthday, the father of our country has been reduced to an advertising pitchman?

Amid the dollar deals and talk of chopping down cherry trees (while also slashing prices), it’s easy to forget who America’s first president really was and why we honor him. In addition to leading the Continental army to victory in the American Revolution, Washington oversaw the writing of our Constitution. Did you know that he was also the only Founding Father to free his slaves? There’s so much more to Washington than we tend to hear about.

That’s true of many historical figures and heroes of the faith. To a lot of people, Daniel was just the guy who hung out with lions. Noah was a glorified zookeeper with a long beard and humongous boat. And Jonah, like Pinocchio, got swallowed by a fish.

Even Jesus can come across as the manger-born carpenter who let little children sit on his lap, rode a donkey, and somehow wound up on a cross. But that’s not the full picture of who Jesus is or why he came. Of course, most people missed the point back in our Savior’s day too. That’s why he asked his disciples precisely who the crowds thought he was. Rumors had been swirling that maybe he was John the Baptist or Elijah. Others believed he was an ancient prophet come back to life. After the disciples explained that to him, Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?”

That’s the multimillion-dollar question. And he asks it of each of us today. Peter knew the answer: “You are the Messiah sent from God!” (Luke 9:20). Only by knowing Christ and sharing that understanding with others can we help a confused world see Jesus for who he really is.

Daddy-Daughter Time

Share false ideas you’ve heard about Jesus’ identity. In your own words, who is he? Why is it risky to rely on a mere impression of someone rather than hearing his or her full story and spending time together?

See if you know these facts about each other: (1) best subject in school; (2) favorite TV show; (3) most hated vegetable; (4) preferred style of music; (5) greatest fear.

What’s The Word?

[Jesus] asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”   Luke 9:20