Previous Reflections
REFLECTIONS
April 7th, 2019When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
Matthew 21:10Just a Man?
Life changed for many once Jesus entered their lives. Mary of Magdala, who had reputedly lived an immoral life, was prominent among them. “I’ve been changed, yes really changed. / In these past few days, when I’ve seen myself, / I seem like someone else…,” she sang in Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical production from the early 1970’s. But how, she wondered, “He’s a man. He’s just a man.” She wasn’t alone in her wonder.
“Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him,” in fear and amazement [the disciples] asked one another, after Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. (Luke 8:25)
Then when Jesus healed a lame man, the Pharisees asked, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” (John 5:12) On still another occasion, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21)
Just a man? Mary Magdalen would learn differently when Jesus called her name outside the tomb. And Thomas found more than just a man when he touched the Savior’s wounds.
Just a man? Peter finally got it. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16) Just a man? Apostle Paul explained Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, / did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but made himself nothing, / taking the very nature of a servant, / being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, / he humbled himself / and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place / and gave him the name that is above every name, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, / in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, / to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)
Just a man? The tomb was empty! Share the story.
You are the light of the world,
Richard +
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