Who Is Jesus? 

Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah."

This pericope goes on for what is much deeper contemplation among adults:    Jesus tells his disciples he will be crucified and they cannot believe it.  The lectionary verse ends with Jesus inviting the disciples that if they wish to follow him, they, too, must take up their cross and suffer.  But for children, I think the compelling question here invites us all, “Who is Jesus?” 

There are two ways I want to approach this with children and for we adults who reflect on this segment of the lectionary:

1. Who Do You Say I Am? 

Who is Jesus in your life?  How have children experienced Jesus in their life?  A natural segue here is to introduce children to the concept of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  I anticipate many of their comments will revolve around Jesus as the one who protects, cares, comforts and loves them, the one who listens to their prayers. 

The second question is more challenging for older elementary school children. 

2.  Who do you say I am when you are with others? 

Do children sense Jesus visible within themselves when they are with others at school, at play, in their community?  What would your friends say Jesus is to you?  How do you show others who Jesus is to you? 

I invite children to talk about

*   What do you know about who Jesus is?

*   What do you want to learn about Jesus? 

*    How will you represent (show) what they learn?

 

We will make images, using an array of art materials, both new and recycled, to represent who Jesus is to us. 

Here are some questions for reflection around the dinner table at home: 

Reflections with Children:

If Jesus sat down at our table with us today and asked us, “Who am I in your life?” how would you reply?  Have you ever sensed his presence in your life?  Does he hear your prayers?  Has he comforted you when you were alone or hurt or frightened?  Who does the Bible tell you he is?  Who have you learned he is from other adults at church or home? 

Have you sensed Jesus with you at school?  Have you sensed Jesus with you when you are playing with friends?  Who is Jesus in the life of your friends?  (What is really important is that none of us judge children’s answers--- we remain open and listening actively to what they have experienced.  If we’re disappointed with their answers, that is for us to reflect upon when we are alone and rethink how we might be presenting Jesus to them.) 

Who do we say Jesus is to others, to our friends, our enemies, people we know and people we don’t know?  How could people tell Jesus is what we say he is by our lives?  Can they see who he is by the way we act, what we say, what we do?  How might we invite Jesus to influence our choices, how might we make Jesus more visible in our lives to others? 

Reflections among Adults

These questions are so important to discuss with children and yet I know, from experience, that I must reflect on my own response BEFORE I converse with children. 

Who is Jesus to me?  In what ways do others see Jesus influence my choices?  In what ways do friends and people with whom I have challenges see Jesus in my life?  Are there ways my life is a testimony to Jesus’ love, comfort, care, shepherding?  Are there ways it can be more so?