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by Sandy Shaw
“Who is this?” It is the question raised by the crowds in Jerusalem when Jesus entered the city. Read the passage in Matthew chapter 21 and understand the context and setting.
In Jesus, God has come to man – born in Bethlehem – in an outhouse beside the animals.
For some 30 years we hear very little about Him.
Jesus had neither financial wealth nor official position anywhere.
His friends were like Himself – fishermen – tax collectors – workmen – like one of us.
When Jesus did leave home to start preaching and teaching and healing and training disciples – his own family tried to dissuade him – thinking he was beside himself – and actually saying, he was mad.
The crowds which at first gathered inquisitively to listen to him and receive from him – soon dwindled away – and His closest friends showed signs of doing the same.
“Will you go too?” He had to ask them.
At the end they did desert him – fast – and suddenly.
Jesus was crucified – hanging between two criminals – and buried in a borrowed grave – but then a strange – unusual – unique thing – happened.
It was rumoured that He had been seen alive.
A few weeks later His followers were preaching – and performing similar miracles to those Jesus had performed.
Is it not quite a surprise that when the disciples began to worship and praise in the Temple – people thought they had been drinking? (Acts Chapter 2)
But, neither laughter – nor sneering – nor ridicule – nor taunting – nor imprisonment – nor philosophical arguments – nor the might of Rome and her courts and jails could stop Jesus Christ working through His body!
So the question becomes even louder – “Who is this Jesus?”
He comes into our world born of a virgin – lying in a manger – visited later by shepherds – who went out and spoke and testified to what they had seen – shepherds and angels and Christ the Lord. He has come down to such a world as this.
Jesus came into our world to fulfil the word of the Prophets.
On their way were wise men – with gifts – probably Jews from Persia – on their way to worship this new born King!
Another King! Herod decides to kill all the children of two and under just to get this one child out of the road.
Having been warned by God the Father of the situation, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Egypt – for His safety and security and very existence – and – to fulfil a further prophecy. The details may be found in Matthew Chapter 2.
30 years later – after Jesus was baptised in water and anointed with the Holy Spirit, evil spirits and demons cried out when they saw Him approach – yet little children nestled in His arms and sat upon His knee in innocent security – Jesus blessed them.
His presence at a wedding could transform the situation.
His meeting a funeral procession could turn tragedy into rejoicing.
His words when he spoke about sin and hypocrisy were searing and scorching – yet, when dealing with a sinner no one has ever been so tender and merciful and compassionate!
“Who is this Jesus?”
He was the King of Kings who could go into the Temple and make a whip – and throw out everything that should never have been going on.
He could take a basin of water and towel and wash the feet of His beloved Disciples – doing the job which nobody else would do.
Jesus’ life is full of contrasts. Jesus is always surprising people. Jesus refuses to conform to the religious traditions of the day.
Throughout these past 2,000 years His Name has not been so much written across all of history – as ploughed into all of history.
The one name humanists and secularists do not like is Jesus Christ of Nazareth – because somehow men are aware that they are touching something of the very power of God – just by mentioning His name.
Is that not why people like to blaspheme and think they are getting off with it – ah yes – but only for a season.
Many mention His name at weddings for blessing and funerals for comfort and peace – why?
“Who is this Jesus?” He is the Messiah – the Son of God – the Saviour – the Lord of Lords – the King of the Jews.
Lovingly and humbly he comes with one main purpose – to forgive sin and sins.
“Loving Father – we thank You for sending Jesus into our world – we thank You that he forgives sin – that astounding work on the cross at Calvary. We thank You for raising Jesus from the dead. Come, risen Jesus, and reassure us that you will be with us and that you are with us. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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