"Jesus, The Exclusive Savior”

In Jesus Holy Name Lent II February 28, 2021

Text: Mark 8:27,29 Redeemer

“Jesus, The Exclusive Savior”

We live in a “postmodern” age. If that term is new to you, it simply means that we live in an age in which our culture has largely abandoned the notion of truth. One hundred years ago most Americans shared a common moral code based to a large degree on the teachings of the Bible. Even people who were not Christian made their moral judgments based largely on what we today call the “Judeo-Christian” tradition.

There was a large consensus that certain things were right and others wrong, that some things were permitted in society and others were not. That shared consensus gave enormous stability to the culture and allowed people from diverse backgrounds to live together in peace. (quote Rev. Ray Pritchard sermon Mark 8)

That consensus has almost entirely disappeared, which is why Americans can’t decide how they feel about abortion, pornography, adultery, divorce, and gay rights. In the old days we didn’t debate those issues because our shared value system taught us that it is wrong to kill unborn babies, that adultery is always evil. Our constitution grants us freedom of speech, to speak our mind. That too us now under assault. Things have changed.

If the old Trinity was Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the new trinity is tolerance, diversity, and pluralism. “All truth is relative.” We are to worship tolerance, we are to celebrate diversity, praise pluralism, equity not equality. And woe to the man or woman who dares to speak against the New Trinity. (quote from Rev. Ray Pritchard)

Jesus and His disciples were at Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea was a place of pagan worship, where many different pagan temples offered options. Their ministry to this point had been a stunning success. Crowds pressed in on them everywhere they went. People eagerly reached out to touch this young teacher from Nazareth. The disciples themselves were caught up in the excitement of it all. “Strange rumors had swirled about Jesus ever since the prophet wearing camels hair clothing, John the Baptist said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (thoughts from my sermon on Matthew 16)

Some thought Jesus might be a king. That’s what many thought after Jesus fed the 5000. (John 6) This carpenter’s son from Nazareth taught the crowds with mysterious parables. He healed the sick. He annoyed the religious authorities. This is why Jesus put the question to his disciples. "Who do people say that I am?" Various answers were given. Simon Peter answered enthusiastically, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" It was one of the most dramatic moments in the disciples' pilgrimage with Jesus. (The Body Charles Colson p. 64)

Then Jesus changed the subject. He began to tell them that the crowds would soon turn against Him; He would be crucified. On the third day he would be raised. The disciples didn't know what to make of His words. Simon Peter took Jesus aside: "Forbid it Lord that these things should happen to you." Jesus rebuked Peter in strong language. The words are as harsh as any words in the New Testament: "Get behind me Satan! You are not on the side of God but of man."

Simon Peter probably regretted trying to correct Jesus. He had no idea that he was being deceived by Satan….who was trying to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem. Peter was reacting because…..Peter did not understand God’s plan.

Rev. John Stott in his book “The Cross of Christ” has a chapter entitled “The Conquest of Evil”. In the Garden of Eden the conquest of Evil was predicted. During the ministry of Jesus Satan made many attempts to get rid of Jesus. Satan used Herod to murder of the children of Bethlehem. In the wilderness temptations Satan was tempting Jesus to avoid the cross. Later, Satan used the crowds to force Jesus into a politico-military kingship. And now Peter tries to stop Jesus from His journey to Jerusalem. (p. 234,235)

After Jesus had ascended into Heaven this same Peter, along with John continued to visit the temple. On one of their visits, they healed a man on the steps of the temple who was crippled. The Jewish authorities arrested them because they said the man was healed by the power of the crucified and risen Jesus. Standing on trial before the same High Priest, Caiaphas and his ruling family, that sent Jesus to Pilate, Peter no longer afraid, makes a bold statement: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12)

Jesus Himself said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) The author of the Book of Hebrews writes: “Jesus Christ was sacrificed once (on the cross) to take away the (broken commandments) sins of many people and He will appear a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for “His return. (Hebrew 9:27,28)