Who are you?

 

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 Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-20

If I asked you, "Who are you?" you would probably give me your name. But that doesn't help, does it? You'd say "I am Victor, Tom, Dick or even Harry ..." what does that really mean? It is only a label we have put to a body to identify that body. It does not really say who you are.

You might add, "I am a doctor, lawyer, teacher," or whatever else. But that does not add anything does it? All it says is what your trade or job is. 

You might describe yourself as a spouse, parent, grandparent, son, daughter ... and that might add more information as to who you are. And the more questions we ask the more we get to know an individual as to who they are, as opposed to just a name or a trade.

The disciples could have said, "You're a teacher, a healer, a preacher, a wise man," and other adjectives to describe Jesus. They had been with him for some time and had seen Him teach and heal people. 

Peter was first to speak and declare, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, 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.” Then He ordered His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20

Note specifically what Christ said, "this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."

This was not Peter, a human, just talking. It was the Holy Spirit, through Peter, Who proclaimed who Jesus was.

At that point, God spoke, through Peter, to declare that Jesus is His Son.

It also happened when Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit appeared like a dove and a voice from Heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!"

And at the Transfiguration, a voice was heard from the cloud and said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

Worth thinking about when someone ever asks you why you believe in Christ.

Who are you?

 

I don't know if this happens on your TV. You have an item of news and then they introduce an individual to expound and talk about it ad infinitum until I fall asleep.

I normally check to see who this individual is and what qualifies him or her to talk about the subject in question. They usually show the name at the bottom of the screen and then the occupation as: writer, commentator, author, reporter, ex advisor to ..., blogger, podcaster, and so on.

Wait a minute. I am all of these. I am a writer. I learnt to write at the age of five. It was the alphabets at first then I put letters together to make words like: DOG, CAT, IDIOTS ...

I'm also a commentator. I have an opinion on any subject you care to mention whether I know anything about it or not; and my views are just as relevant as the next man's or woman's. Why don't they have me on TV to comment on just about anything?

I am not a podcaster because I don't know what it means. But I'm sure I can comment about it if asked.

I've even been an ex advisor to my dog until he learnt to ignore me. So I can advise anyone if they need it.

I don't mind when the subject they are discussing is of a medical, or technical nature and they have a doctor or scientist there, or an economist to explain rising prices and the GDP of a country, or some other expert on the subject under discussion.

But when they have an "author" or "commentator" or "reporter" then I would say that their views are just as valid as yours, or mine, or my dog's even.

So if there are any TV producers out there reading this I am: 

Victor S E Moubarak - Nonsense Advisor

Who are you?

 

Are you like me and have difficulty remembering faces or names? I often meet people who recognise me and I haven't the foggiest idea who they are. I don't think it's my fault if I don't remember people I met a long time ago in various totally different circumstances. I can't be expected to remember everyone I met. Over the years I must have met at least 25 people.

Steven for instance. Last time I met him was at school when he was 13; and I was 12 and a half. I met him the other day at a Conference where he gave a talk about cockroaches flying in V formation. I recognised his name on the Bill Board advertising the talk. He was now bald and with a red beard and looked totally different from when he was 13. In those days his beard was black.

Only last week a man approached me in the tunnel leading to the railway station and said, "Hi, Victor. How are you my friend? Do you remember me?"

I took out a small mirror I carry in my pocket, looked at it and did not recognise him. I mumbled apologetically and said so!

"I'm Valentine," he said, "from Bolton!"

I looked in the mirror again, shook my head and said, "No, I'm sorry Mr Valentine, I can't recall you. This grieves me greatly because I pride myself in always remembering a name or a face; but in your case I make an exception!"

"Why do you keep looking in the mirror?" he asked.

"I'm so vain; I think this is all about me," I replied as I put the mirror away.

"I'll have to get one," he said, "this way people will remember me." Then he shook my hand and left.

This set me thinking.

Do you know who you are? I am not asking you for your name, or what you look like, or your family lineage, age, appearance, education, life history or whatever.

What I'm saying is, when you look in the mirror what do you see?

Why is it that you have certain views about certain things? Why is it you have opinions on some matters like politics, religion, the environment, climate change, the economy and why cockroaches fly in V formation?

On what do you base these opinions? Is it because of your prejudice or pre-conceived ideas? Something you read or heard perhaps? Or do you follow the opinion of someone else you like or admire? When I was in politics searching for votes, I was surprised at the number of people who said they will vote for a certain party because their parents, grand-parents and family always did so. This may have been right for their elders at the time; but is it still so? Times change, and so do parties' policies and views and its people.

Are your opinions and decision-making based on research and study that you have done on the matter in question?

Personally, I don't like women who paint their moustache blue. It's just a prejudice. No study or research was involved. But then ... I'm not perfect. Just vain.

Unless you know yourself you'll never get to know yourself.