Mennonite Weekly Review

Woven throughout the 13 episodes of Fish Eyes, a winsome retelling and re-enactment of the four Gospels by Ted Swartz and the late Lee Eshleman, is this question: “Is Jesus the one?” “Do you really think he’s the one?” “Is he the one we’ve been waiting for?”

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As disciples and brothers Peter and Andrew, Ted & Lee leave me believing the importance of today’s topic, then and now: Jesus Christ, Messiah. Paraphrasing Ted & Lee, the conversation runs along these lines. “Hey Andy, did you see that? Maybe Jesus is the Messiah” and “But Peter, if he’s the Messiah why would he let them do that to him?” and “Andy! Andy! Jesus has to be the Messiah — no more questions. I’m convinced.”

Right under Caesar’s nose

The scene of today’s text is a retreat near — of all places — Caesar’s city. It’s final exam time. Jesus might have said, OK, guys, you’ve been with me these three years. You’ve seen what I do and how I do it. So now, what do you think? Have you figured it out? Who am I?

Let’s hope that Peter’s words, “You are the Messiah,” were said not-too-loudly. They were seditious words — revolt, revolution — spoken dangerously close to Caesar’s “ears.” Yes indeed, this was classified material.

Who do you say Jesus is?

As we glom onto the characters portrayed by Ted & Lee we, too, have to answer Jesus’ question: “Who do you think I am?” We, too, ask: “Is Jesus the Messiah?” If not, let’s talk about something else. But if so, this affects everything, first of all our decisions. And if so, there isn’t any other game in town except God’s game.

So what’s not to believe? Jesus taught like a pro. He healed most anyone who asked, anyone who came to him, taking seriously their physical and spiritual hunger. He told unforgettable and provocative stories. He apparently cared about people, all people, without regard for looks or reputation or standard of living. (Now there’s a countercultural decision for our youth-obsessed society.) And he had a hotline to God.

But he also infuriated the leaders by breaking the “blue laws” of the Sabbath. He insulted King Herod, calling him “that fox.” In good Socratic fashion, he “answered” the religious leaders’ questions by asking other questions, thus testing their tolerance to the limit. Surely the Messiah would choose his battles more carefully.

The ongoing question

How do we recognize false messiahs? The Jewish community can point to Sabbatai Sevi who, in the mid-1600s led people astray. The Hindu community can point to the now-discredited Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh who came close to establishing a community in Antelope, Ore., in 1983. Our faith community has the account of Claas Epp who (in the Mennonite experience in Russia) was sure that Jesus would return on March 8, 1889, at 8 a.m.

How do we continue — as continue we must, as long as we walk the Earth — to distinguish between messiahs and the Messiah? Or, what makes Jesus unique? Or, what makes Christianity unique? Philip Yancey, quoting C.S. Lewis, says, “That’s easy: it’s grace.” In other religions people are rewarded for the good they do and punished for the bad that they do. Jesus, in comparison, embodies unconditional love, inclusive love. Where I sit, Jesus is a trustworthy Messiah.