Who Do You Say?
May 9th, 2009 by Brian Robertson
A very kind reader of this site — a long time reader — had a great suggestion in an email to me for an open thread, hoping to get a take on what readers here think.
“On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. ”
Mark 8:27-30
Now, I’d like to suggest this is a version endorsed by the powers that be in one community of early Christians. For another take, one might look at the Gospel 0f Thomas which has been mentioned many times elsewhere on this site.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Compare me to something and tell me what I am like.”
Simon Peter said to him, “You are like a just messenger.”
Matthew said to him, “You are like a wise philosopher.”
Thomas said to him, “Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like.”
Jesus said, “I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended.”
And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, “What did Jesus say to you?”
Thomas said to them, “If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you.”
Now, these are two very different approaches to the story, but the question the reader wanted to open up to those who come here is this question by Jesus, “Who do you say I am?”
I have to bring up one point — tolerance and understanding in the answers and any exchanges that take place or the comments won’t be approved.
Blessings,
Rev. Brian
Technorati Tags: jesus, jesus christ, gospel of thomas, christian mystics, mystics, christian mysticism, jesus
I intuitively prefer the story from the Gospel of Thomas because it makes Jesus seem more real, and because it accords so well with other sources that speak to me such as the Tao Te Ching. However, as a former Southern Baptist, I continue to struggle with the question of whether I believe Jesus was (or, more accurately in that case, is) divine.
I am drawn to the idea of Jesus’ divinity because I like to imagine that He looks out at the world from the stillness I find within myself. Not metaphorically, but actually. If Jesus was not God incarnate then I only imagine to find him within myself. At the same time I yearn to believe in Christ’s divinity, my intuition rises up against the notion of him as a blood sacrifice for human sin. This doctrine seems barbaric to me, and I know many scholars view it as a misunderstanding or later embellishment rather than a teaching of Jesus.
Day to day I find myself sometimes more convinced of Jesus’ divinity, and other times less so. This ongoing uncertainty makes it hard for me to establish the kind of relationship I would like to have with the Jesus who I hope is actually there.
“Thomas said to him, “Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like.”
I would say, that I, like Thomas, am utterly unable to say what Jesus of Nazareth was or is, I would feel arrogant to even try to describe Christ, as I feel his presence is so very different for everyone.
For me however, Christ is ever present in my life, every step I take and with every prayer I pray in quiet meditation I feel as if he inside me always.
Christ is ever present on earth…as it is in heaven.
Just my humble experience..
Blessings Susan
I have been a ’silent reader’ here for a while but feel moved to comment today on this one!
My reply to this question by Jesus, “Who do you say I am?” is…you are Love…Divine Love, Compassion and Truth manifest…sent to show us the path-way of compassion, to shine your love like a great beacon burning eternally and call to awaken, like a distant memory, the Truth within our hearts.
The power and depth of your love Jesus, resonates within, calling forth the golden spark of divinity and unity with God that is my luminous soul.
You are the bread seeking the hungry.
One who inspires the spirit within us towards God.
St. John of the Cross, ” You are my source and my destiny.” I’m not 100% I can contribute the quote to him, no matter it helps me to focus and refocus.
If I may throw one in (and this is a great thread, please feel free to keep adding!!!) it would be from a Hindu prayer I remember:
Lord, Thou are my Mother, Thou art my Father.
Thou art my friend, Thou art my companion.
Thou art my wisdom, Thou art my wealth.
Lord, Thou art my all in all.
Brian
Thanks to everyone for the contributions. I will take my normal Spongian approach in that Jesus is a sign post showing a way towards a divine and very human experience. This was very intuitive awareness for myself from a young age and seems to get stronger with age. This path next to that sign post (Jesus) has served me well and brought the idea that my optimum capacity to love my fellow humans selflessly is the ultimate experience of divinity.
The Source and The Saviour
The Giver of Love and Love itself
so, so happy God led me to this site on this beautiful morning. I love what he’s teaching me and where he’s leading me.
God-bless you all.