A WORD FOR TODAY, September 20, 2021
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, September 20, 2021
“Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved. Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, Yahweh, the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, Yahweh on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.” Psalm 93, WEB
Two weeks ago we asked the question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Last week we asked “Who do you say that I am?” Today’s question is similar, but slightly different. It comes from the Matthew’s report of the Triumphant Entry when the city asked, “Who is this?” It is a question of Jesus’ identity but it comes from the point of view of someone who has not heard of Him.
I was with my mother and a friend, and we were on our way home from a meeting rather late at night. It was a long drive and we stopped at a service area to use the restroom and grab a snack. There was a fancy looking bus in the lot, set apart a little bit, but obviously the transportation of someone important. We asked, “Who is this?” pointing toward the bus. We didn’t think we’d get an answer, but the clerk was excited to give away the secret. After all, this guy was in the know about a famous person that was stopping in his store! It was Rick Springfield. He was on tour with his music, but he was also famous at that time for playing Dr. Noah Drake on the hit daytime drama “General Hospital.”
We were thrilled. I loved Rick Springfield. So, we stood halfway between the bus and the store, hoping that we’d catch a glimpse. We did, and he was kind. He walked out of his way over to us, talked to us for a few minute, and signed some autographs. We didn’t realize what a sacrifice this was for him at the time. He had performed at a concert that night, so he was tired, but that wasn’t the worst of it. It was the anniversary of his father’s death and the loss was still weighing on him. It was hard to believe, at first, that we were really so close to the star. We couldn’t risk missing the possibility of meeting him if it was true, so we believed and we waited.
Jesus entered Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowds. He had a reputation. His fame went before Him. Yet, not everyone had heard of Him. There were strangers in Jerusalem, people who had just come from great distances for the celebration of the Passover. They had not yet heard the stories. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowd answered, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
I wonder what that answer meant to those who were asking the question. Prophets were a dime a dozen in those days, and Nazareth was nothing particularly special. Did any come to believe, or did they simply scoff at the idea that Jesus was worth such a commotion? If they had not heard the stories, the fact that He was a prophet from Nazareth would have meant nothing. I wonder if those who were excited to see Jesus tried to tell the strangers more. Did they talk about the stories and His claims? Did they try to build Him up to get the strangers more excited about his presence?
How would you answer the question “Who is this?” for someone who has never heard of Him?
The Psalmist defined Him as King over all of creation. The Lord reigns. Jesus Christ asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” It is vital that we answer the question personally, by faith, prayer and understanding. Peter’s answer was “the Christ of God.” It was not very long after that confession that Peter denied knowing Jesus. In today’s world, it seems many people are willing to confess Jesus as Christ just like Peter but are just as likely to deny Him before others. Are we willing to answer those who want to know who Jesus is? Are we willing to tell them that He is the King over all creation? Are we willing to say that He is the everlasting God?
Faith is a paradox. We first must realize that God is bigger than we can ever define, but we must define Him for ourselves and then be willing to answer those who wonder who He is. It isn’t easy, and some will scoff at our answer. It is impossible for God to be so big that He doesn’t fit in the all the universes and yet small enough to fit in the flesh of one man and in our hearts. Yet, this God is clothed with majesty; He is more than we can imagine and has done more than we can desire. Who is this? This is Jesus of Nazareth, who is more that just a prophet, He is God incarnate, the Savior of the world.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276. Like the page to receive the devotion through Facebook. For information and to access our archives, visit http://www.awordfortoday.org.
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