“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth…’” (John 18:37).
I have been reflecting of the ways in which Christ revealed Himself as the Messiah – God the Son – during His life…
In the Gospel of Saint Luke, we hear how Christ told the disciples of Saint John the Baptist (who would become His own disciples) who He was (7:18b-23)…
“John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And when the men had come to Him … Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.’” (Luke 7:18b-23).
In that moment, and at that time, Christ did not state explicitly that He was God. In fact, Christ did not actually state anything. Instead of stating anything, He asked… And this is interesting to me. You see, it is something a teacher would do. And Christ was a magnificent TEACHER!
The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, developed a method of teaching, which involved asking questions and allowing students to answer those questions. This method of teaching was called the Socratic Method, and it is still used in Western Education until this very day.
Often in my work with university students – especially those who have already studied extensively overseas in non-Western countries – I am very often asked, “But why does the teacher ask me the question? They have the answer, and they are the expert, so why is it that they are asking me? I need to learn from them…”
And my reply does not vary. You see, when a teacher adopts the Socratic Method – as Christ did throughout His ministry – the teacher is not wanting the student to gain a superficial understanding of the concept. Rather, the teacher is interested in allowing the student to gain a deep appreciation of the question through their discovery of the solution…
And this is how it was Christ’s apostles. Later, Saint Peter proved that He knew exactly who Christ was – for He had discovered it – and having discovered it, he later DIED for this discovery, that was how firmly he believed in it!
“‘But what about you?’ Jesus asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.…’” (Matthew 16:15-17).
And later during His passion when Pilate asked who He was, Christ responded to the question…
“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:37).
There is a pattern here with God. He does not PUSH any discoveries onto us. Instead, He waits for us – with INFINITE patience – until we are ready to ask Him what we need to know. And then – and only then – does He answer us, with solutions that are already inside our souls.
For our God does not attack us with knowledge – He comforts us with discoveries… And how I love His infinite Majesty for that!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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