A Case of Non-Mistaken Identity
“Because you have
seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed.” John 20:29
Hubert Humphrey,
former Vice-President under Richard Nixon, loved meeting people. That made him a
much-loved politician. On a fishing trip in northern Minnesota California
"Folks, I'm sorry to see you're having trouble," he said. "If there's anything we can do for you, just stop by my office. And by the way, there's something you can do for us. We have a fellow here in town who looks like Hubert Humphrey. He sounds like Hubert Humphrey. He even thinks he is Hubert Humphrey. Now, if you should run into him, don't give him any money, but please be nice to him, because we kind of like him and he doesn't do any harm."
Lord then went back into the store and said, "Hubert, there's a bus load ofCalifornia California
Comedian Billy Crystal tells about being in an airport coffee shop. He was nearly exhausted from a demanding road trip. He reached for his coffee, and a voice said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Billy Crystal?" He looked up. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "People tell me that all the time."
"You're not Billy Crystal, are you?" the lady asked.
"No ma'am," he replied
"Too bad," she said. "You should only have his money."
Mistaken identities always bring a laugh. But when Jesus arose from the dead, there was no mistaking who He was though many have claimed otherwise. It is the identity of the risen Christ.
"Folks, I'm sorry to see you're having trouble," he said. "If there's anything we can do for you, just stop by my office. And by the way, there's something you can do for us. We have a fellow here in town who looks like Hubert Humphrey. He sounds like Hubert Humphrey. He even thinks he is Hubert Humphrey. Now, if you should run into him, don't give him any money, but please be nice to him, because we kind of like him and he doesn't do any harm."
Lord then went back into the store and said, "Hubert, there's a bus load of
Comedian Billy Crystal tells about being in an airport coffee shop. He was nearly exhausted from a demanding road trip. He reached for his coffee, and a voice said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Billy Crystal?" He looked up. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "People tell me that all the time."
"You're not Billy Crystal, are you?" the lady asked.
"No ma'am," he replied
"Too bad," she said. "You should only have his money."
Mistaken identities always bring a laugh. But when Jesus arose from the dead, there was no mistaking who He was though many have claimed otherwise. It is the identity of the risen Christ.
It was difficult even
for those in the select company of the twelve to deal with Christ's
resurrection. Such
things just don't happen in this world. Thomas, particularly, found it hard to
accept. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus made his first
appearances. When the other disciples told Thomas, "We have seen the
Lord!" he was skeptical. "Unless I see the nail marks in His
hands," he said, "and put my finger where the nails were, and put my
hand into His side, I will not believe it."
A week later Christ's disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them this time. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. " Thomas said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus did not reveal Himself to the world at large, only to those who believed. But He did appear to them in ways which left no doubt that He had conquered the grave. And they went out to tell the story. Against all kinds of opposition they told the story. Nothing could stop them. No power on earth could defeat them.
A week later Christ's disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them this time. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. " Thomas said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus did not reveal Himself to the world at large, only to those who believed. But He did appear to them in ways which left no doubt that He had conquered the grave. And they went out to tell the story. Against all kinds of opposition they told the story. Nothing could stop them. No power on earth could defeat them.
Jesus' disciples had
a persistence to their witness that would not be defeated. In the arena with
lions, burned as human torches in Nero's gardens, suffering the vilest kinds of
humiliations and bodily pain, they stayed faithful to what they had
experienced.
They had met the risen Lord and they wanted the whole world to know it.
Just as Jesus spoke in John 20:29, ““Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” While we didn’t have the privilege of seeing Jesus in His earthly existence, our faith is just as real as that of the disciples when we put our faith in Him. There is no mistaking it!
Just as Jesus spoke in John 20:29, ““Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” While we didn’t have the privilege of seeing Jesus in His earthly existence, our faith is just as real as that of the disciples when we put our faith in Him. There is no mistaking it!
Terry Risser
Reflections:
1) Why do many people struggle to identify who
Christ is?
2) What helps you finally see Him as Lord of
Lords and King of Kings?
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright 2014- Terry Risser
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