The Holy Prophet Elisha (9th c. BC); Our Holy Father Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople (847)
Romans 9:18-33; Matthew 11:2-15
Apostles’ Fast.
Read Matthew 11:2-15
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
John the Baptist’s question still echoes in the minds of many people around the world.
Many people have accepted, believe, and profess that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the savior of the world, God.
Many others struggle with this question, or completely ignore it.
So, is Jesus the much expected Messiah?
Leaving aside religion and Christianity in particular, the life of Jesus of Nazareth has had a unique impact throughout the entire world and history.
In his book entitled Made for More, C. Martin quotes H. G. Wells, an English writer, a historian and not a believer, who said “Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all of history” (p. 13).
Jesus, like many other religious figures, preached the golden rule we may say. However, something still makes Him unique, because “the primary message of Jesus is Jesus. Other religious leaders like Moses, Buddha, Mohammed, and Confucius had a message about God or right living for their followers” (p. 16), themselves claiming to be messengers of God.
Jesus, on the other hand, “claims not to be a messenger but to be the Message. In short, his identity is the issue” (p. 16).
Besides being a moral teacher like no other, as some non-Christians say, Jesus authoritatively forgives sins (Mt 9:2-7), which only God can do that; He also claims preexistence (Jn 8:58) taking the name of God in Hebrew – “I AM” – to Himself; claiming to be the only way to the Father (Jn 14-6).
How reliable is the New Testament therefore?
In short, “what we read in the New Testament today is what was written in the first century by eyewitnesses – or the eyewitnesses’ companions. The simple fact is this: Jesus was not executed for saying, ‘love one another’ or ‘try to be nice.’ He was executed for claiming to be the God of the universe – the ‘I AM’. He doesn’t ask us merely to accept his teachings; he calls us to accept him” (p. 40).
Note: Highly recommend reading Made for More by Curtis Martin, 2008.