“Are You the Christ? The Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, ‘I am…’” Mark 14:61-62

 Perception

At the end of His earthly life, Jesus was resolute in the revelation of who He was. How men perceived Him was paramount. He stood silent in their judgment of His “crimes.” However, anytime His identity was in question He spoke the certainty of His person, His position, and His power.

Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Pilate was looking at Jesus through a political lens. His actions and decisions were based on a political viewpoint and so wanting to gratify the crowd and gain favor, he had Jesus first scourged and then crucified. The Jewish leadership was looking through the religious lens of their own traditions and power structure. They were defending their status quo and so cried out, “Crucify Him!” The soldiers saw Jesus as a condemned captive and so beat Him and mocked Him. Their perceptions had blinded them to the declared and demonstrated revelation of who this Jesus was.

But there was a dying thief on the cross next to Him who perceived Jesus as the Holy One. There were women at the foot of the cross who had followed Him and seen His works and believed His words. Their faith in who He was led them all the way to Calvary. There was a Roman centurion who observed Him through the horrific death of crucifixion and declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

The veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. From heaven to earth He has made the way open into the very presence of God for us. That’s who He is!

They tried to bury Jesus. Those misconceived perceptions thought He was done. Oh, but He was just beginning. When things look like defeat, look like death, look like burial, remember who He is. Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, Messiah, Savior, our Great Redeemer!

“Father, our King is risen and alive and sits at Your right hand. May we be aware of the work You are still doing in us. May our eyes perceive the realities of Your kingdom come, Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”