How Do You See Jesus?

Episode #119: How Do You See Jesus?

“Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You? ” But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? ” “I am,” said Jesus,…”    (Mark 14:60-62)

Jesus was on trial. Many false testimonies were given this night about the identity and character of Jesus. He didn’t answer to any of the false claims about him. Caiaphas grew angry and began to talk to Jesus himself. If we consider prayer to be conversation with God, then I want to present this conversation between Caiaphas and Jesus as a prayer and not a trial.

This may have been the first time in his life that Caiaphas actually talked to God. Every prayer in his life up to now was nothing more than ritualistic practice and tradition. Now, standing before Jesus, he asks the questions many of us have asked at some point; “Are you who the world says you are?”. “Or, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?” To the first question, Jesus remained silent. But, to the second question, Jesus answered with, “I am”, and this answer rocked Caiaphas to his core. I believe this may have been the first time in his life Caiaphas heard directly from God through Jesus.

The answer is the same to us as it was to Caiaphas. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God! Now, given that answer, how we respond shows whether or not we truly believe Him. Caiaphas was devastated at the thought of Jesus actually being the Messiah because that destroyed his world as he knew it. Caiaphas had a choice at this moment to either accept Jesus as the Messiah and allow all he had known to be changed, or, reject Jesus and continue in his current life of comfort. In response, Caiaphas chose to have Jesus executed.

How we address Jesus in prayer and how we pray, reveals how we see Him. Do we address Him in a manner worthy of His name and deity, or do we address him as a spiritual ATM? Let us be a people who recognize Jesus as the Messiah and allow our lives to be transformed by Him as he sees fit. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our heart be pleasing to Him.

Love Y’all! Be Blessed!