06/26/25 What the World Says

Takeaway: To truly know Jesus, we must let go of cultural distortions and personal preferences.

Opening Prayer (Thursday)

Lord, I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness. No matter what today brings, help me to have a heart of gratitude and trust in Your perfect plan. Speak to me through Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

In every age, the world has wrestled with the question of Jesus’ identity. In Mark, we read how King Herod and those around him tried to make sense of the growing fame of Jesus. Some said He was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Others thought He was Elijah, or one of the prophets from long ago come back to life. These guesses weren’t random, they were rooted in the people’s hopes, fears, and expectations. They saw Jesus’ power and presence, but instead of receiving Him for who He truly was, they tried to fit Him into familiar categories. The world still does the same today.

Modern culture often reduces Jesus to something manageable and comfortable. To some, He’s a wise teacher who preached love and tolerance. To others, He’s a spiritual guru, a revolutionary figure, or a symbol of morality. Some even use His image to justify political agendas or self-help philosophies. These perspectives, like those in Herod’s court, may contain fragments of truth but ultimately fall short. They reflect more about our desires and assumptions than about who Jesus actually is. The danger isn’t just misunderstanding Jesus, it’s creating a version of Jesus that we are willing to accept rather than confronting His Lordship. When we allow the world to define Jesus, we risk losing sight of His authority, His mission, and His call to follow Him fully.

Rediscovering Jesus means peeling back the layers of cultural interpretation and personal preference to encounter the real Christ. He is not a prophet among many or a teacher among equals. He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the only one worthy of our worship. As we journey in faith, we are invited to name the voices and images that have shaped our view of Jesus. What have we heard? What have we believed? And are we willing to let go of what is familiar to rediscover what is true?

Questions

What are some common cultural or media portrayals of Jesus you’ve encountered?

How do they differ from the Jesus revealed in Scripture?

Application

Take to reflect on your personal image of Jesus. Write down the influences: family, culture, media, church, and thing else that have shaped that image. Then, return to the Gospels and read one encounter Jesus had with someone (i.e. John 4, Luke 5, Mark 2) and observe how He acts, speaks, and reveals His identity. Let Scripture reform your imagination of who Jesus truly is.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are not who the world says You are. Forgive me for the times I have settled for a version of You that feels familiar, easy, or safe. Open my eyes to see You as You truly are: Son of the Living God, Savior, King. Peel away the assumptions and preferences I’ve built around You. Give me the courage to follow the real You, even when it challenges my comfort or confronts my expectations. Let my life be shaped not by the world’s image of You, but by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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