“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
Mark 8:29-30
It’s the most important question you will ever answer: “Who do you say Jesus is?”
For nearly three years, Jesus had laid the foundation for asking this question. His messiahship was not the one expected by the religious teachers or the general population of the day. Both groups hoped for a ruler who would physically sit on David’s throne and expel the Romans, initiating the day of God’s rule on earth.
Instead, Jesus brought a kingdom that must be voluntarily received, a rule that is not imposed from without but grows up inside. There will certainly be a kingdom He brings in the future where all sin, disease, and death are banished—but, for now, His kingdom is like seed sown into soil that is met with a variety of responses (Mark 4:1–20).
Had Jesus’ ministry fallen on any good ground? Did His disciples “get it?” Did they understand now that the Messiah, which literally means Anointed One, had come in the person of Jesus? Jesus’ question was the big test. It was an examination with only one question, and it didn’t require a long answer.
Unless this question is answered correctly, Jesus must delay His journey to the cross. He cannot begin walking to Jerusalem unless they have settled this matter in their hearts. And if the Twelve never answer the question correctly, Jesus’ whole mission with them has been in vain. He would need to start over with another group.
You may be thinking that I’m minimizing the Lord in saying that His mission depended on others. But that’s the truth isn’t it? How would we ever have known Him if we hadn’t been told.
J.B. Phillips once imagined an account of a wondering angel in heaven who asked Jesus after His return from earth, “How will the world know?” Jesus answered, “I’m depending on my disciples to tell the story.” The angel replied, “But what if they don’t?” Then Jesus responded, “I have no other plan.”
Indeed there are some who will never know Jesus unless you tell them.
Who is Jesus? That’s the most important question you will ever answer. Not only is your eternal destiny at stake, but His purpose and plan for your life on this earth also hang in the balance. When you surrender to His identity you find your own.
After Peter said, “You are the Messiah,” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone. Why? Others in hearing the term messiah would apply a different meaning to it. It would take Jesus’ own death and resurrection for others to fully understand what it meant for Him to be Messiah.
You’ll notice that Mark omits the statements made to Peter about his being the rock, etc., as recorded in Matthew 16:17–19. Why?
If, as early tradition indicates, Mark wrote down what Peter preached, then it isn’t surprising that Peter would minimize his own role. It is a characteristic in Mark that where Peter looks good in other Gospels (such as walking on water in Matthew 14:28–30), it is left out by Mark.
It’s a good lesson for us not to boast of anything. The apostles focused on telling Jesus’ story and being humble about their own roles.
A Prayer: Lord Jesus, along with Peter I say, “You are the Christ.” You are my Savior, King, Prophet, Priest, and blessed Son of God. You are forever Lord.
The post Who Do You Say Jesus Is? appeared first on Dr. George O. Wood.