If Jesus had a hashtag
Who is Jesus Christ?
The most important question you will have to answer in your life is “Who is Jesus?” For some, Jesus is nothing more than a historical figure. Others do not even believe he lived. Many believe he was perhaps a prophet or a good teacher. Sadly, for some people, he is nothing more than a swear word. There are a large portion of people who have not even thought about who Jesus is and do not care.
The way we answer that question has eternal consequences. Our answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?” will determine much more than any other question in our life. The answer to that question dictates our “forever”.
As we celebrate Christmas, the season, just like Jesus, means different things to different people. For many, the season is nothing more than a holiday to be able to get gifts. Many people see Christmas as a secular holiday that is promulgated by retailers and businesses to get people to spend more money and go into deeper debt. For others, it’s leading up to us thinking about what changes we want to make in the new year, and we begin to form new year’s resolutions that we know we will break before the end of January.
However, the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. One cannot look at Christmas without looking at Jesus. As a result, you must answer the question about who this baby in the manger is that we celebrate each year. Who is this child sleeping in a feeding trough? Who is he?
I once heard someone say there are only three options. Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. He cannot be anything else. There is too much historical evidence, even outside the Bible, to show that Jesus was an actual person and did live on this earth. History itself proves Jesus lived. As a result, we must answer the question “Who is Jesus?”.
Liar: It is difficult to say that Jesus was just a great teacher or some great religious philosopher. Jesus told others he was the Messiah. He equated Himself to God the Father. The Jews sought to have Him killed not because he was teaching great things, telling people to love others, or healing the sick. They had him crucified because he said he was God’s son.
“I am the bread of life” – John 6:35
“If you receive me, you receive God. If you welcome me, you welcome God” – Matthew 10:40
“If you have seen me, you have seen God” – John 14:9
Lunatic: Jesus made countless claims that, if they were not true, were astonishing. They changed the course of history. His teachings touched lives and changed the world. If Jesus knew all he was saying was a lie, then He is arguably the greatest liar that has ever lived. He’s the most famous con artist in human history. If, however, he believed what he was saying and thought he was the Son of God, but it was not true then he is the greatest lunatic who ever raised the dead.
Lord: Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, restored life to the dead, and he told others their sins were forgiven. If God alone forgives sins and Jesus went around telling others their sins were forgiven, then Jesus was saying He had the power to forgive sins – thus, claiming to be God.
“I and the Father are One” – John 10:30
I believe Jesus was the Son of God. I believe He is God incarnate. I believe He is the second person of the Holy Trinity; He is Lord, He is the Redeemer. He is the long-awaited Messiah. He is everything. Happy Birthday Jesus!
Who is Jesus Christ to you?
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
