The Best Of Greek For The WeekSample

Who Is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? Throughout history, people have tried to answer this question. I’ve met people who say Jesus was just a historical figure, but not the messiah, and some who doubt He ever existed. I’ve met those who describe Jesus as some hippie who’s all about tolerance and free love, and others who think Jesus would pack a pistol. I’ve also met people who believe they are Jesus. 

There’s only one objective source if we want to know who Jesus is: the Word of God. The Gospels give us four separate accounts, written by four different authors, describing the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Each gospel presents truths about Jesus as Lord and God. 

Mark’s gospel shows us Jesus as God’s servant, doing the work of the messiah that He had been sent to do. Mark doesn’t even begin with Jesus’s birth or family heritage; he starts right from the beginning of Jesus’s ministry. We find an unclean spirit confronting Jesus as He teaches in the synagogue, and Mark gives us a valuable detail that helps us answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” The demon says to Jesus, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” What exactly could this title mean?

In the Greek, this title is ho hagios tou theou. It appeared a few places in a Greek version of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint, which had been around since the second century B.C. This title referred to men anointed by God to serve His people. They were especially equipped to destroy the works of the devil and deliver the children of Israel from their enemies. 

By using this title, the demon was admitting that Jesus had great spiritual power. It’s likely some of those present in the synagogue understood this and were encouraged by it. Jesus had come to free God’s people from the power of Satan! He was the messiah, the deliverer, the healer, the defender of God’s people—the source of all of God’s blessings! The rest of Mark’s gospel goes on to show this is true through the various miracles, teachings, and sufferings of Christ he recorded.

In light of this, we are left to ask ourselves, “Who do I think Jesus is?” Is He just a lifeline in times of trouble? Or is He our Lord and Savior? Let’s not sell Jesus short. Today, why not deepen your relationship with Christ by placing your trust in Him for everything He is?