Who Do You Say I Am?

By Marty Norman 

Easter is just around the corner, the time that Christians all over the world celebrate Jesus’ victory over death and sin.  Because of his sacrifice upon the cross, we are blessed to receive his resurrection power with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

How a large Bunny with two floppy ears came to represent this most momentous of days is beyond me, but come he has with colored Easter eggs and a basket full of chocolate candy. Too bad the world doesn’t recognize the secular nature of this false doctrine, filled with cavities and eternal consequences for those who do not receive.

As the world spins out of control, the good news of the gospel of eternal life takes on more and more significance. What an opportunity for us as Christians to cement ourselves in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and the redemption he brought to the world. What better time than Easter to share the story of the gospel to a hurting world.  

Peter and Martha were clear as to Jesus and his role. They were not ashamed of the gospel.  In Matthew16:15 Jesus asks the disciples “Who do you say I am?”  Peter answers “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Later in John 11:25 he asks Martha if she believes that whoever lives and believes in him will never die.  She replies, “Yes, Lord… I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
 
These are two of my most favorite verses in the Bible. For I believe that Jesus is not only asking Peter and Martha this question but will one day ask every person on earth the same question. No one will escape.

The question this Easter season is: how will you respond?

As parents this is an especially hard line to walk.  How to keep the good news of the gospel separate from the secular celebration of the Easter Bunny?  

Being creative and bold is the name of the game but as parents I know we can do it. Giving and reading books on the truth about Easter is one way to keep children grounded.  Christian book stores have all kinds of scriptural teaching aids that can also bring the Easter story alive.  One year I gave my grandchildren Easter eggs that were filled with Christian symbols such as the crown of thorns, the cross, and the cup.  Great discussions resulted as each egg was opened and the hidden treasure discovered inside. I was able to share the Easter story in simple terms that even a child can understand.

Peter and Martha were not Easter Bunny supporters.  Their responses were right on.  They knew who Jesus was and proclaimed him as the Christ, the Son of God, without hesitation, with boldness and courage. Are we willing to do that? Are we willing to take a stand in our office, in our families, in our social environments and state that we celebrate Easter because the Son of God came to earth to die for our sins?

That would be pretty bold, especially in today’s environment.

In 2009 far too many churches preach a watered down gospel telling us “there are many paths to heaven… Jesus was a great prophet and teacher…all of God’s prophets are equal.”  

This is not the gospel. Far too many Christians believe with their heads but do not proclaim with their mouths that Jesus is the Son of God.  This Easter would be a good time to start, don’t you think? Let’s all resolve to be Martha’s and Peter’s and proclaim to the world the good news of the gospel  

Who do you say I am?  This Easter let us be Jesus proclaimers and not Easter Bunny assistants delivering false eggs.

Let us shout with a loud voice for all the world to hear. “Jesus, you are Jesus the Christ, the Son of God”.