Who do you say Jesus Is?

Common ways people trip:

In the Message Bible, Mark Chapter 6, Jesus preaches to his own hometown. It's interesting to note they first noticed something special about him:
6:2 On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?

In the next breath they turned on him:
6:3 But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter - Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.


Later on in the same chapter, we see Harod, a ruling Roman in awe of John the Baptist, Jesus predecessor.
6:20 because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt - and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back.


Harod saw the Spirit of God operating through John and was moved. When push came to shove; however, Harod's own words and pride before the people landed him in big trouble:

6:26 That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. 27 The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, 28 brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.


Here we see two clear examples of people having an encounter with God via John the Baptist and Jesus. Both Harod and the people of Jesus' home town knew there was something special going on there; however, they stumbled - unable to make the full real committment. It's a staunch warning and a sad picture when people are this close yet so far. Jesus clearly illustrates this principle in the "story of the scattered seed" in Mark 4.

4:14 "The farmer plants the Word. 15 Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them. 16 "And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. 17 But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it. 18 "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news 19 but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. 20 "But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

Be the person in Mark 4:20. Embrace the words of Jesus. Surrender your pride (don't be like Harod), surrender what you think you know (don't be like Jesus' hometown), and embrace Christ to truly live!!!