After Jesus healed a blind man and fed thousands of people with little food, He asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” (Mark 8:27). They gave various answers and then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29).

That question is of eternal importance for every soul on Earth today. What one believes about Christ determines where his immortal soul will spend eternity. The soul never dies, and eternity is never spent. It never gets shorter.

As ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ, it is assigned to us to ask others, “Who do you think Jesus is?” We are commissioned by His Great Commission to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). We Christians have first-hand knowledge of the way to eternal life. But, unfortunately, most keep it to themselves. What a crying shame!

Next Wednesday we all will celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior. Burl Ives called it “the best time of the year” (Holly, Jolly Christmas). But far too many people do not know Christ and therefore do not celebrate His birth. Instead, they celebrate time off from work or being with family or friends. Many never give any thought to the actual meaning of Christmas.

But, all wise people know who Christ is and worship Him as their Lord and Savior. Jesus was literally God incarnate. In fact, Christ is not only the Son of God, He is God. He is the Father in Heaven and the creator of the entire universe. He condescended two thousand years ago to come down to Earth and be born a man-child to a poor family. God did this out of His pure love of man. He wanted to experience first-hand what every person on Earth experiences.

Did man deserve this? Absolutely not. God’s love of His creatures was so great that He temporarily laid aside much of His power and majesty to relate directly to us. Not only that, but He suffered and died on a cruel cross at Calvary for everyone who would believe in Him.

What does it mean to believe in Christ or be “in Christ?” This simply means that anyone that is a true Christian believes in his heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It means that he  has repented of his ways and called on the Lord for salvation. That is exactly what one of the thieves beside Christ did as they were being crucified.

That thief is a wonderful example of grace that God provides any who will receive it. It demonstrates the heresy of “works salvation” that the Apostle Paul so roundly condemned. For this poor thief could do absolutely nothing to serve the Lord. But, he did everything required for life eternal. He believed in Christ and, repenting, said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus answered him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

So, let us all celebrate the birth of the God-man, Jesus, the Christ, and know how to answer anyone who asks us, “But who do you say that He is?”