38. Who is Jesus?

IS JESUS A PROPHETE, ELIJAH, JEREMIA OR…????

That day Jesus was alone with his disciples. He had just prayed. He said to them: – Who do they say I am? To the people, who am I? What do they say about me? The disciples are not embarrassed by this question, everyone is talking about him: – Some say that you are John the Baptist! – Others say you are a prophet, maybe Elijah or Jeremiah. – In Nazareth, people say: Jesus! He is the son of Joseph the carpenter and Mary is his mother, he grew up here! – People don’t all say the same thing, but when they have seen all the extraordinary miracles you do, when they have heard you speak, they all say: he is a special man. You’ve never seen anyone like him, he’s a master. – And you, Jesus told them: Who do you say I am? – You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! answers Peter. – Blessed are you, Peter, Jesus said to him, for what you have just said here is not from you, from your mind, but from my Father who is in heaven, who revealed it to you, who made it known to you. This is the truth upon which the kingdom of God will be established, and no one will be able to destroy it. I am he, whom God promised to send to save his people. Jesus then began to tell his disciples what was going to happen to him. – I will go to Jerusalem, and there I will suffer a lot. The religious men will put me to death, but I will rise again on the third day. The disciples were astonished at these words. – How is this possible? He who performs such miracles, who has such power! – People want to make him king! – Why should he be condemned to death, he has done nothing wrong? It is not fair. Peter couldn’t take it anymore: – No! It won’t happen to you! he says to Jesus. But he was wrong and Jesus rebuked him severely: – It has to happen because that’s what I came for, it’s God’s plan for the salvation of all men. I am the Messiah, the promised deliverer. Six days later, Jesus walked up a high mountain. He took Peter, James and John with him. While he prayed, suddenly the appearance of his face began to shine, it was dazzling like the sun and his garment became white as light. It was as if a curtain rose and showed his glory, his divine nature. And suddenly two men appeared in glory, they spoke with him. Peter, James and John recognized them; it was Moses and the prophet Elijah. They talked about Jesus coming to Jerusalem and about his death. As the two men were about to leave, Peter said to Jesus: – Master, it is good that we are here. We are going to plant three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Poor Peter, he did not know what he was saying! A luminous cloud appeared. Moses and Elijah entered this cloud and God’s voice was heard: – This is my beloved Son in whom I place all my joy. Listen to him! The frightened disciples bowed their faces to the ground. They no longer dared to look around them. The one who had just spoken was the Almighty God. The bright light disappeared. Jesus came close to his disciples and laid his hand on them: – It’s me, get up, don’t be afraid! He told them. He had returned to the way he was, a man like everyone else. But Peter, James and John knew that he was truly the Son of God, the promised savior.

1, 2 3, 4 AND YOU AND ME! Like Peter, James and John, I can say too that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe it. He is my saviour. And for you, who is Jesus? I invite you to take some time to think about it. By reading the Gospel, by listening to our programs “1,2,3 STORY TIME”, by praying, you will know Him better and better. You can find the story of the transfiguration of Jesus, which we have just told us, in chapter 9 of Luke’s Gospel.

4, 3, 2, 1 AND WE PARENTS! The Gospel presents Jesus as He is, the Son of God who came to save us. Our children need to know this but also to believe it. Most certainly, they will not have the privilege of seeing Him here on earth in his glory, as Peter James and John did, but one day all those who have followed him faithfully will see him face to face in heaven. We can rejoice now with our children. Let us rejoice with them, for if we do not have the privilege like Peter, James and John to see Jesus, we know that one day, after more or less challenging times, we will see him in his glory. See you soon on the air.