Who Do You Say I Am?

Mark 8:27-38
Length: 18:57

This is a message given on September 13, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.

As we now approach chapter 8 of the Gospel of Mark, we see some similar events take place in the life of Christ.

We see the feeding on the 4,000, which is very similar to the feeding of the five thousand, except the 4,000 are mostly if not all Gentiles.

After feeding the people, Jesus leaves and heads back to Jewish territory where the Pharisees and Sadducees confront Him again. They ask Jesus for a sign from Heaven to prove who He is. Jesus knows their wickedness, so He and His disciples leave the area.

On their way to Bethsaida, Jesus warns His disciples about the teachings of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. Jesus then heals a blind man before we get into this mornings Scripture of Peter’s great confession.

As I have said in previous weeks, we are well in to Jesus’ third and final year of ministry. And the disciples still do not have a clear understanding about everything Jesus represents and does and will do.

After His prayer time, Jesus turns to His disciples and asks two questions. First, he asks “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Now, Jesus already knows the answer to this question, so He really isn’t looking for an answer from the disciples. He is looking more for a response from them and to jump start their thinking about who He really is.

Of course, the disciples give an answer rather than a response. “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

Now for sure, Jesus’ characteristics resembled these people, or maybe we should better say that these people resembled Jesus’ characteristics. All of these people spoke the truth. They confronted the religious and political leaders of their day. And they all essentially got beat up for the things they said and did, for standing their ground for what is right and honorably to God.

After the disciples answer, Jesus asks the tough question, “But who do YOU say I am?” As usual Peter is the first to speak and often speaks for the group in general. Now, as you are aware, sometimes Peter says and does some stupid things. But this is one instant and in fact probably the best instance where Peter shines with God’s glory.

He says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” You are the Messiah, the anointed one. You are Prophet, Priest, and King. You are alive, not some dead pagan idol. Jesus responds with a blessing upon Peter and the other disciples. They will be the leaders of His church.

This, by the way, is an important question. In fact, it is a question that everyone will need to answer. Who do you say Jesus is? The answer every person gives to this question will determine their eternal destiny.

After Peter’s confession, Jesus knows it is time to make known to His disciples who He really is and what must be done. Jesus has alluded to His death a number of times, but the disciples really did not pick up on the hint.

This confession of Peter’s really marks another turning point in the teaching of the disciples. From this point onward, Jesus makes clear to the disciples that He will be executed. As I have mentioned before, anytime Jesus talked about His death, He also spoke of His resurrection as well.

The disciples know that Jesus is the Messiah, but they don’t fully understand what that means yet. They think the Messiah is going to setup an earthly kingdom with a human army. However, they will really get a heavenly kingdom and a heavenly army.

They expect the Messiah to conquer Rome, when they will really get a risen Lord who conquers their sin. It will take time for them to learn this, but they do. Jesus’ death was necessary, not only to fulfill God’s plan but to pay for our sin.

After hearing Jesus plainly state that He must die, Peter takes Him aside and rebukes Him. “Never Lord!” You don’t have to die, surely that is not God’s plan. Jesus turns and says, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.

Peter goes from being the rock to the stumbling block, all in a matter of minutes. Peter, who had just been praised for being God’s spokesman is now being condemned as Satan’s mouthpiece. Jesus’ sacrificial death was God’s plan and whoever opposed it was advocating Satan’s work whether they realized it or not.

Near the end of our Scripture lesson this morning, Jesus gives a few statements for us to live by. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words…the Son of Man will be ashamed of him.”

Those who reject the demands of discipleship prove themselves to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the truth that he taught. Therefore, they are not redeemed from sin at all.

Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your Lord and Messiah? Jesus wants us to deny ourselves and follow Him. Stop trying to control your own life and destiny and let Him direct you. Christ knows us and this world better than we do, let Him be in control.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank you for this lesson this morning. It is so nice to read about the Apostle Peter and what a wonderful believing man he was. But it is comforting to hear, that even he screwed up sometimes.

Help us to learn the lessons that he did. Help us to obey Christ, to deny ourselves and follow him. Help us to set our minds on heavenly things this week, so that your power and glory may shine through us.

In Jesus name. AMEN.