I saw this question while scrolling Facebook the other day. The one I saw actually asked about Jesus Christ which I think gives something away. Christ is not a last name; it is the New Testament Greek equivalent of the Hebew word Messiah. It also troubles me a little that the question is not simply Who is Jesus but includes a very personal prepositional phrase: to you.

I replied that I like what Peter said when asked by Jesus himself in Matthew 16: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Calling him Christ acknowledges him as the one they have been waiting for. Matthew, if you recall, quoted Isaiah 7 back in chapter 1 when citing the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. Calling him the Son of God – the living God – distinguishes Jesus from the many false messiahs that came before and after. In short, Peter was saying that Jesus was exactly what they had been waiting for, the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The disciples were putting all of their eggs in one basket.

I am one of those guys who goes around leaving Little Jesus figures on gas pumps and grocery store shelves. I will post my response in the comments to those that want to argue 2nd commandment violations. My wife’s concern with Little Jesus is that it reduces him to something less than who and what Jesus is. I will not argue that. I find it a helpful reminder as each one has the words “Jesus loves you” printed on the sash. It is a reminder to Christians to be encouraged, press toward the mark and the prize and make sure others see Jesus in us. To the unbeliever, the words “Jesus love you” points to the Gospel more than the 2 inch figure represents a biblical personality. I realize Little Jesus falls short of acurately representing the full message of who Jesus is and what he does. But so does everything other attempt we make; paintings of Jesus from the Italian Rennaissance, crucifixes hanging on church walls, Christmas card artwork and Passion plays at Easter. Each of these things when taken together gets us a little closer to a complete picture which is why the New Testament, and Jesus in his own teaching and parables, uses many illustrations and metaphors.

It’s because Jesus is more than all of these. Jesus is more than a happy hippie giving you a thumbs up. He is more than a baseball coach, more than a cartoon character, more than a wise teacher sharing pithy sayings. Jesus is more than a suffering servant hanging on a cross and even more than the first born of the resurrection. Christmas is great, I love it. But Jesus is more than a baby in a manger with special visitors at his birth. We have to read the Gospels for first hand eye witness accounts. We have to study his words as he corrected long held beliefs that were incorrect. We then have to study Colossians, and Philippians and Hebrews. We have to see him in Revelation as King of kings and Lord of lords, and then as judge when he opens the books.

Jesus is more than we can describe in 10 words or less. One or two images, even when we are giving it our best, is not enough to fully account for his incarnate deity. And yet, we have to try. Everyone has to start somewhere in their understanding. And when you think you know everything there is to know about knowing God, brace yourself.