Readings for today: John 7-9
It’s a question that has perplexed humanity for centuries. Who was or is Jesus? Is he the Messiah as so many Christians believe? Is he a good ethical teacher in line with many other rabbi’s of his day? Is he crazy because of his claims to divinity? Is he evil because of how he deliberately calls his followers to die for him?
It was C.S. Lewis, himself a former atheist, who first crafted the “Lord, Liar, Lunatic” argument in his book, Mere Christianity. Lewis argues Jesus’ own words preclude him from being accepted as a good ethical teacher. No ethical teacher could ever be called “good” and make the claims Jesus does. So either that means we have to take what he says at face value and accept him as Lord or we accept that he believes himself to be Lord which makes him a lunatic or we have to accept he knows he’s lying about himself which makes him evil. Jesus simply doesn’t leave us any other options.
We see a similar debate raging in our reading today. The people of the 1st century in Galilee, Jerusalem, heck, even Jesus’ own family aren’t quite sure what to make of him. Is he the promised Messiah? Is he a miracle-worker? Is he a brilliant, if eccentric, rabbi? Is he a prophet? Is he a charlatan? Everyone wanted to know and everyone had their opinion. His family made it clear they didn’t believe in him. The Pharisees made it clear they opposed him. The crowds were all over the map when it came to him. Who is this man?
Jesus makes it very clear who he is. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.” (John 7:37-38 MSG) “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (John 8:12 MSG) “Believe me,” said Jesus, “I am who I am long before Abraham was anything.” (John 8:58 MSG) Jesus is making clear claims to divinity in these passages which is why the people pick up stones to throw at him. He is making himself known as the Messiah and calling his people to place their faith and trust in him. He leaves no doubt about who he is and what he’s come to do and who has sent him. He answers every one of their questions fully and completely and clearly. But still many struggle to believe. They question his background and upbringing. They question his authority. They question his logic and rationale. They question the source of his power. They find so many reasons not to believe rather than simply accept what Jesus says about himself.
I find the same dynamic is true for many people today. No matter how many times you show them the evidence or point them to Jesus’ own words or offer up the testimonies of the literally billions of Christians around the world and throughout history; they still refuse to believe. They still try to find reasons not to believe. What about you? Who do you say Jesus is?
Readings for tomorrow: Luke 10, John 10, 11:1-54