A Prayer to Receive Jesus
By Kyle Norman
Bible Reading
“‘What about you?’ Jesus asked, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God’” - Matthew 16:15-16
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Have you ever Googled Jesus? If you type “Jesus” into your Google image search, you come across a wide array of pictures. Each picture contains a particular message, a point the artist is trying to make. For example, there are depictions of Jesus that emphasize his masculinity. Comic book illustrations of the Bible do this often. Jesus often appears shirtless with muscles flexed. Even on the cross, Jesus has chiseled abs and bulging biceps. The message behind these images is that Jesus is the ultimate hero. He is the strong and mighty victor. Jesus can subdue anything evil or threatening and vanquish every enemy.
Such a strength-oriented image is contrasted with depictions of Jesus that highlight his compassion. In these images, Jesus is often fair looking. He is thin and genteel. He is surrounded by images of vulnerability, such as sheep or children. The point here is that Jesus is the one who is caring, the supreme comforter, and supports our lives. Jesus journeys with us in our tears and joins us in our weaknesses. And then, of course, there are the historical images etched in stained-glass windows and religious artistry. Here, Jesus is depicted often as a blond-haired, blue-eyed, white man. Again, a particular point was being made in such a representation.
The question of Jesus’ identity is an important one to ponder. Jesus asks the disciples and us all, “Who do you say that I am?” Like images on Google, there are a myriad of different ideas and thoughts about who Jesus is. Some believe that Jesus is nothing more than a charlatan – a man who lied about himself, his origin, and his mission. Some believe that Jesus was a great moral teacher, a man with brilliant insight, but just a man. Others go for more colorful ideas: Some believe Jesus was an alien visiting the earth; others believe he was the incarnation of the Archangel Michael. Still others believed that he was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
Here’s the point: authentic Christian faith is about accepting Jesus as he comes to us. In fact, when Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” he is not suggesting that they decide who he is. Figuring out the ins and outs of Jesus’ identity was never up to them, and it’s not up to us. It is not like we go through a rolodex of images and decide, “Well, I’m partial to muscular Jesus” or “I think I’ll stick with English-Aristocrat Jesus.” No, Jesus reveals himself in a particular way, speaking plainly about who he is and what he came to do. Scripture records this with amazing historical accuracy. So, the question is not, “Do you understand who Jesus is?” or “What image of Jesus do you prefer?”; it is not even “Who have you decided Jesus is?” The true question of faith is, “Do you receive him as he presents himself to you?”
Now, we may still have questions. Like Peter, we may stumble about in our faith and not fully understand the wide implications of Jesus’ messianic identity. That’s fine. After all, we are all imperfect people reaching out to the perfect one who comes to us. But the fact is, Jesus does come to us. On the cross, Jesus revealed himself as the Savior of our lives, the one who enters the darkest of places to bring hope and new life. On the cross, Jesus revealed that he is the one to take our sins upon himself, thereby freeing us to live our lives in the unrestricted grace and love of God. On the cross, Jesus revealed himself as the one to be worshiped, adored, and received. So let us receive him as he comes.
Let’s Pray
Almighty God, I thank you that I do not need to decide who you are. I thank you that, in your loving grace, you have chosen to reveal yourself in the person of Jesus the Christ. In him, you offer me the gift of forgiveness, the gift of your love, and the gift of fellowship with you. Lord, I may still have questions when it comes to my faith, and I may stumble along the way. Like Peter, I declare my faith in one moment and then decry my faith in the next. Yet in Jesus, you reveal that you are always with me and always embrace me. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my life. Be my Lord. Be my Savior. Take me to the cross where you fully reveal your Lordship over my life, Lord; let me journey with you through the grave to your and my resurrection. And give me, I pray, the strength and the will to follow you always.
This I pray in the name of the one who comes to me, Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Boonyachoat
The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.
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