What Does Christ Think of You?

Mark 4:35-41 records an awesome miracle (as if any Bible miracle is not awesome!). After being aroused from sleep by terrified disciples in a storm-tossed boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus speaks the words, "Peace, be still." Mark records the amazing result in simple but striking words: "And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (4:39). Jesus didn’t just track the storm with a weather app on his smart phone or seek shelter from it, or watch the weather channel to see what Jim Cantore was saying about it! Instead, He spoke to it and commanded it to cease – and it did! Mark 4:41 records the astonished reaction of His disiples: "And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’ " This mind-bending incident was one of many that compelled the apostles to struggle with the issue of Jesus’ true identity and character. While a debate about who Jesus really is goes on in every generation, His own claim to be more than a mere human being cannot be denied. As Bierdewolf said, "Anyone who can read a New Testament and not see that Christ claims to be more than a man can look all over the sky at high noon on a cloudless day and not see the sun." (Burton Coffman on Matthew).

"What do you think of Christ?" In Matthew 22:42 Jesus Himself asks that question? Let’s hear from those who encountered and heard Him up close and personal, both friends and foes:
* Pilate: "Having examined Him ... I have found no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:14).
* Judas: "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). * Thief on the cross beside Jesus: "this Man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41b). * Roman centurion at the cross: "Truly this Man was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).
* Roman centurion at the cross: "Truly this Man was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).
* John the Baptist: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
* Simon Peter: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mark 15:39).
* the apostle Thomas: "My Lord and My God" (John 20:28).
* the apostle Paul: "The king of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).
* angels in Heaven: "a Savior who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
* four living creatures 24 elders, and host in heaven: "worthy is the Lamb" (Revelation 5:12).
* the Father in Heaven: "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
* temple officers in Jerusalem: "No man every spoke like this Man" (John 7:46).
Jesus Christ is unique and amazing. "What do you think of Christ?" is a question everyone has to face, although what we think of Him does not effect the manner of Man He is. The most critical question is, "What does Christ think of you?"

    By: Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN