Question of the Day

Jesus pointedly asked Peter, "Who do YOU SAY that I AM?" How we answer that question reveals just as much about us as it does about Christ.  
 
My friend Dave Sterrett is writing a fantastic book called Why Trust Jesus?. In the book, he presents a variety of intriguing dialogues he has had with people - rock stars, theologians, sports figures, professors, students, and ordinary folks - about who Jesus is. Check out this interview with Bono that Dave includes. I love his comments:     
In a conversation with Michka Assayas, Bono, the lead singer of U2 observed this logic.
 
Assayas: "Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that far-fetched?"
 
Bono: "No, it’s not far-fetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of the other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me a teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please just be a prophet. A prophet we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know. We’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no, I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is either Christ was who He said He was -- the Messiah -- or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson…I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that’s far-fetched…"
 
From Timothy Keller, The Reason for God, 229.