Christian Foundations

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. --John 1:10

Actor Cary Grant once told a story of how he was walking along a street when he met a man whose eyes locked with his. The man immediately got excited and said, “Wait a minute, you’re…you’re…I know who you are. Don’t tell me! Uh…Rock Hud…no, you’re…”

Grant thought he’d help the man out, so he finished the man’s sentence: “Cary Grant.”

The fellow responded, “No, that’s not it! You’re…”

Cary Grant was clearly trying to identify himself to the man by plainly giving his name, but the fellow had someone else on his mind. The man couldn’t accept who Grant was even though he clearly offered his identity.

John said of Jesus: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” Even when Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God—the Messiah—the response was not a welcomed recognition. Instead, it led Jesus to the cross on which He was crucified for the sins of man.

Today, people are being fed the various identities of Jesus by religious experts, false prophets, and church historians—who at times skew the spiritual perceptions of even believers. The world does not recognize or know Jesus, and they are feeding anyone who will listen to their so-called definitions of who He is.

However, the Word of God plainly states who Jesus is. As believers, it is our responsibility to share with the lost world the truth and identity of Jesus Christ. Determine today to make the name and personhood of our Savior famous!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make solid your knowledge of who Jesus is so that you can give firm answers to those who do not know Him. Pray that God would empower you to make His name famous in all that you say and do, so that you can make an impact.