18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” Luke 9:18 (NAS)

Today ask a person on the street who Jesus is and be prepared to hear some vague recollection of some mythological character. And since the primary historical references to his life for most are now found in Wikipedia, anything he ever did or said has been fact-checked into irrelevance. Even among those in the crowd witnessing his works and hearing his words first hand had a difficult time truly grasping who he was.

It was almost like a very real Final Jeopardy question with Peter the host.

“Who is John the Baptist?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“Who is Elijah?”
“No, again, I’m sorry.”
“Who is a prophet of old?”

And Peter said, “Incorrect as well.”

“Jesus is the Messiah from God.”

If after witnessing his power first hand they still didn’t know who he was, how are we to know him well enough to trust him to save us?

Outside of reading and studying the Bible, this line in the old praise song “open the eyes of my heart Lord that i can see you” appears to be the answer. This he did for Peter.

On this Easter Day 2022, would it be that he open the eyes of your heart too.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6