LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

God became man that man might become God. Athanasius

Such quotes and statements bring anywhere from fear to hope to a person depending upon where one has placed their security. And that’s a good question isn’t it. Where is our security? In America it is a dangerously subtle proposition. It’s so easy to rely upon the ability to make wealth, pension plans, medical insurance, and a myriad of entitlement and governmental programs. The prosperity gospel has replaced the four gospels of the New Testament in many churches in America. God’s not against wealth. He wants us to be successful and prosper. He just wants us to allow Him to do it. But, we Americans are an impatient lot. If you live in a third world country, chances are your security comes from out there, some place other than from just yourself though.

Jesus is still asking the question that he did numerous times, 2000 years ago: “Who do you say I am?” And people of every ilk are still trying to find the answer. As Cynthia Bourgeault said, “The entire dynamism of the Gospels hangs on the this drama of recognizing who Jesus was.” Personalize this question. Think about it. And then write it down and see how often it changes over your life.

Whom do YOU say Jesus was- IS?

I find it more than puzzling that the outcasts recognized Jesus. The lustful woman at the well, the centurion, and the man born blind as an example, GOT IT! The Pharisees, Sadducees, and the religious crowd didn’t get it. Neither did Pontius Pilate. Even in the final scene as Jesus hangs between two theives, one got it, one didn’t! Isn’t this the most important journey that anyone claiming to be a Christian could be traveling? Is there anything more critical than to know who Jesus is: then and NOW! To travel that narrow road is to depart from the masses, forsake coventional wisdom, and embrace a life IN HIM!

If you do decide to really get serious, you’ll find yourself losing some friends, going deeper with others, and finding new sojourners to comfort you along the path. One day, all of a sudden, you’ll wake up and discover whole new truths. You’ll discover a new Jesus. You will give up trying to be in control: of anything, everything, and everyone. And you’ll start on the road to understanding that we are not to live forever but to die well. It’s not that physical death at the start of our new eternal life, but the death of the cross that causes you to love when once you would have hated: in this world, the NOW!

Do you really, really want to know WHO JESUS IS?”