Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Christology: Who Is Jesus Today?

Now that I have had a few days to catch my breath, I can share one of the powerful messages which was used to challenge over 1000 youth pastors / workers last week. Dr. Richard Ross, student ministry "guru" from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, brought a strong word on Friday morning that is still bouncing around my cranium firing a few synapses in the process.

He related the story of the time he stood outside the dining hall at Ridgecrest (a North Carolina Baptist conference and retreat center) purposely quizzing any and all unsuspecting students by asking them all one question: Who is Jesus today? Out of the dozens he was able to quiz not one student gave the right answer. Before we get to the answer, let's examine the reasons that this seems to evade Christ-followers young and old.

First, we have a wealth of information in the biblical record and in modern television and film archives that detail Christ's earthly ministry. Several years ago, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" gave another generation of believers powerful images which coalesce to help form and solidify our understanding of Christ's earthly ministry. Dovetail that with Jesus- The Miracle Worker from "The Jesus Film" and we have no problem picturing sandal-wearing, miracle-working, cross-bearing Jesus.

Secondly, on the other end of the spectrum we have the strong church tradition and a somewhat more limited, yet rich, biblical record pertaining to the "home-going" of the church and the triumphant return of Christ. We know that we will be caught up with Jesus in the air. We know that Christ will return in the same manner that He left, splitting the clouds in the eastern sky.

But who is Jesus now? Right now? Our self-focused society prefers to view Jesus, the personal Savior. As Dr. Ross puts it, He is carried around in our pocket ready to spring out when called upon. The notion of the centrality of Christ becomes the prevailing theme. The need is for Jesus to come down to us and be the center of what we are doing. While that is one aspect of Christ's work, is it paramount? Is that who He is right now?

Now to the answer. Read Psalm 110. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is not biding His time, pacing through the clouds, wringing His hands, hoping we will think He is cool. His reign has already begun. The battle has been won. Think William Wallace addressing his men in the closing scenes of "Braveheart." Think King Leonidas in "300,"- a brave, valiant, warrior. Now understand that King Jesus is infinitely more glorious and splendid than that! We need to be mindful of a different theme-- The Supremacy of Christ. We need to get our eyes out of our pockets and raise our gaze to who He is. Our attitude needs to be moving away from us and up to who He is, meeting Him where He is and being a part of what He is doing and what He is going to do.

This is not just a challenge to me and other pastors and ministers. This is a challenge to all who align themselves with Christ. He is the magnificent King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Oh that we could begin to get a hold on what that means.

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