This question is used as the title of a television programme investigating the family tree of ‘famous’ people. The programme with all the resources of the BBC has found that some of the people are descendants of royalty, African chieftains or people who arrived in Australia on the convict ships!
An interesting fact is how often the people find they have similar characteristics and often occupation to their predecessors.
No doubt some of you will have investigated your family tree. My father’s family originated on St Kilda. Certainly, knowing our past can give us a sense of history.
In answering the question of who do you think you are? surely it is important not just to look to the past but to concentrate on the present with our hopes and dreams for the future.
In the Bible when Jesus asks his disciples ‘Who do people say that I am’ Mark 8. 27 They reply ‘John the Baptist, Elijah and other prophets’. Jesus was being identified by those who had gone before. Jesus then asks ‘But who do you say that I am’. To which Peter a disciple and a close friend replied ‘You are the Messiah’ The Messiah or Saviour who from the reading of the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament, Jews expected to come to earth to restore people’s relationship with God. It must be admitted that some Jews in the 1st century Palestine expected a political leader to overthrow the Roman occupation. They did not expect someone of lowly birth who preached love and social justice for all irrespective of status.
Perhaps to answer the question of who did Jesus think he was it is best to quote St John17:1-3.
‘Father the hour has come: glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this eternal life that they may know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.‘
How we personally answer the question, Who do you think you are? I am sure will reflect our relationship with God and each other. It will also be influenced by our hope for this world and life after death.
I invite you to come to a church service or join Sunday School to learn more about God and to discover your true self.
God Bless, Sheila.
PS: I would also like to take this opportunity to suggest that you join our Lunch Club, Babe and Toddler group or simply come along to the Friday Café and get to know us.
(This article was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in September 2017)