Who do you say that Jesus is?

In the service on Sunday, Pastor Heather asked the congregation to respond to Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” by writing down or texting her an answer. Here are a few of the responses:

Jesus is my hope and my strength.

​I used to have a complicated answer that came from true delight and theological nuance and depth, but now the answer is simply this: Love. It's simple and yet just as full of nuance and depth and complexity.

Jesus is my hope that God is a merciful healer and reconciler, not a condemning disciplinarian.

Jesus is the one who takes away my shame. His unconditional love means no matter how I feel from God, no matter how I feel about God, no matter if I fail to live up to the standards set for me, he offers my forgiveness and the strength and hope to continue in spite of my failings. Thanks be to God. 

Jesus is a close savior. Go through him, go to him, he's right there.

He is a healer I love in my life.

Jesus is a leader - probably not in the way we expect - Jesus is a radical, generous, anarchist of freedom and love.

Based on previous responses to Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?