As a pastor and caregiver of people for 20 years, I still marvel at the philosophy and beliefs of people I meet on the street when it comes to answering the question "Who is Jesus, and what does he mean to you?"

Many young people today are disillusioned by the countless religions and maze of beliefs in our culture. Our universities are filled with "clueless" kids. Our towns and villages still are not clear about who Jesus is and what he came to do for us on our behalf. My heart goes out to many who just shake their heads in confusion and disbelief. Moms and dads care about their children and pray that they will grow up with morals, principles and values that will guide and sustain them throughout life.

But where does one go to find truth and meaning that will bring real purpose in life? Where do we find help with morality, principles, values and meaning for life? I believe the answer is all wrapped up in the question the Lord Jesus asked to his disciples one day. Look at Matthew 16:13-20:

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, `Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, `Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ `But what about you?’ he 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 man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’"

Don’t you love the way Jesus asked this question, "Who do you say I am?" He knew that all of life hinges on this question. By the way, what is your answer to this question? Who do you say Jesus is? If someone walked up to you right this moment and asked you the question, "Tell me who Jesus is." Here are some answers I have heard from different people and groups:

Judaism: A reformer who may have led people astray.

Islam: A great prophet _ sinless, born of a virgin, but not divine.

Hinduism: A great teacher and one of many Avatars or incarnations of God.

Buddhism: One of many teachers who may have reached Enlightenment.

Sikhism: A man through whom God worked, but not divine.

Baha’i: A manifestation of God like Buddha, Krishna, Moses, Muhammad and Baha’u’llah, but not divine.

New Age: One of many who were fully aware of their divinity.

Seventh-Day Adventist: Same as historic Christianity.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: The archangel Michael was given a human body and became Jesus. Thus, he was created by God and later made divine, but not God.

Mormons: Brother of Lucifer and both physical and spiritual offspring of God. Part of a Trinity consisting of three finite gods who coexist with an untold number of other gods in the universe.

Unity: A man inhabited by the Christ-principle spirit.

Scientology: A man who fully realized his personal divinity.

Unification Church: A perfect man, who attained deity, but is not equal to God.

The Way International: A perfect man, but not divine.

Did you see a common theme and thread of philosophy that links these answers together? When I read the Bible and come across the passage we read above, I see a distinct difference in how some people view Jesus and what the word of God says about him. When Jesus asked the disciples to say who they think he was, Peter stood and answered, "You are the Messiah, (or Christ), the Son of the Living God." Jesus approved what Peter said about him and praised him for his faith. One common fault we find in our culture is that people still believe Jesus was just a man or some sort of prophet _ which he was.

But he is more than just a man. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God. John 1:1-2: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." And John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This is the answer to the Jesus question. Put your faith in this personal God and let him change your life in a way that brings pleasure to him. How you answer this question will define who you are and your destiny in life and death. So, admit that you are a sinner. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Believe in Christ. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Confess your faith. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).

What will you do with Jesus?

The Rev. Jim Pollock is associate pastor of Community Bible Chapel in Toddsville.