Reading: Mark chapter 8 verses 27- chapter 9 verse 1.
Ill:
• The Duke of Wellington is best remembered;
• As the general who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo on Sunday 18th June 1815.
• During his earlier service in India,
• Wellington was in charge of negotiations after the battle of Assaye.
• The emissary of an Indian ruler,
• Anxious to know what territories would be given up to his master,
• Tried in various ways to get the information.
• Finally, he offered Wellington a large sum of money to try and buy the information.
• “Can you keep a secret?” asked Wellington.
• “Yes, indeed,” the man said eagerly.
• Wellington replied; “So can I,”
Ill:
• To say that J.D. Rockerfeller was very,very rich would be an understatement;
• On one occasion somebody asked J.D. Rockerfeller the secret to getting rich.
• He replied “Three things to do if you want to be rich:
• (1). Get up early.
• (2). Work hard.
• (3). Find oil!”
Quote:
• A secret has been defined as;
• "Something you tell one person at a time."
• From. time to time, Jesus shared special "secrets" with His disciples,
• And we will read about one of the biggest ones in a few minutes time.
Note:
• It is worth noting that in these verses we move from the public arena.
• Last week you will have noted Jesus has just healed a blind man at Bethsaida.
• Now he is moving to "behind the scenes"
• From the outside crowds and the religious leaders;
• To the inner circle, of just his disciples.
(1). The Location (vs 27)
• “Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi”.
• Matthew describes the location as: “The region of Caesarea Philippi”
This area, this location was important for two reasons:
(a). Geographically.
• Jesus and his disciples are in the region of Caesarea Philippi.
• Caesarea Philippi lies about twenty-five miles North-east of the Sea of Galilee.
• It was important geographically because;
• This region was outside the domain of Herod Antipas (who was ruler of Galilee),
• And he was outside the domain of the Jewish religious rulers;
• Who were based in the south (this location was about 120 miles from Jerusalem)
Therefore this area was very much a safe place for Jesus to live, to preach and to travel around:
• The population was mainly non-Jewish,
• Therefore he would not be constantly pestered;
• By those who wanted him to perform, miracles or who were looking for the Messiah.
• In many ways;
• This was the perfect location/place for Jesus to get alone with his disciples,
(b). Spiritually:
I believe Jesus purposely chose a disturbing place for his disciples;
• Caesarea Philippi is located at the source of the river Jordan.
• Which emerges at the foot of Mount Hermon.
• The source of the water that flows into the Jordan river;
• Comes from the snow on top of Mount Hermon.
• Which melts and filters down a crack inside the mountain;
• Flowing out through a hole at the base of the river;
• It is actually beneath the surface of the water.
It is a natural phenomenon;
• S often happens this natural phenomenon;
• Became the focus for superstition and religious cults;
• And it has been the centre of Pagan worship for centuries.
• This region was strongly identified with a whole host of different religions:
• Ill: It was ‘a ‘Glastonbury’ type situation (e.g. full of pagan/new age).
e.g. It had been a centre for the old Syrian Baal cult,
ill:
• Thompson in his book; “The Land and the book”
• Enumerates no fewer than fourteen such temples in this area.
e.g.
• The Greek god Pan (the Greek god of nature) had shrines there;
• In fact, this was said to have been his birth-place.
• The ancient town actually bore his name “Panias”.
• And to this day it is called “Banias”.
e.g.
• Herod the Great had built a massive temple made of white marble there;
• He built it to honour Augustus Caesar,
• Herod’s son, Philip changed the name of the town.
• He renamed the place Caesarea in honour of the Emperor,
• And he added his own name Philip,
• To distinguish it from the other Caesarea on the coasts of the Mediterranean.
So in this great white marble temple:
• A man, the emperor of Rome was worshipped;
• And declared to be god, master of the world.
Notice:
• It was in the midst of this ‘heartland’ of pagan superstition:
• A ‘who’s who’ of ancient religion, that Jesus asked his incredible question.
ill:
• Standing in the trophy room at Old Trafford , Manchester.
• And asking who is the best football team.
In Sir Alex Fergusons reign United have won;
2 European cups,
2 world titles,
11 league titles,
5 F.A. Cups.
3 League Cups,
8 Charity Shields.
1 Cup Winners Cup.
• Standing in the trophy room at Old Trafford , Manchester.
• And asking who is the greatest premiership football team.
Ill:
Just picture the setting again:
• Here is a homeless, penniless carpenter from Nazareth,
• With 12 very ordinary common men.
• In the south of his country;
• The Jewish leaders are planning and plotting to destroy him.
• He stands in an area littered with temples to Syrian gods.
• In a place where ancient Greek gods looked down over them,
• A place where Caesar-worship dominated the landscape and compelled the eye.
• And it is here, of all places,
• This amazing carpenter stands and asks his men a question;
• “Who do the people believe him to be?”
• Notice: And he asks the question,
• Expecting an answer!
• He is forcing from his disciples a response!
• Demanding they make a decision!
Jesus has deliberately set himself against the background of world religion:
• This area is their stronghold, their history, their influences, their splendour.
• And Jesus demands to be compared with them, and to get the verdict over them!
(2 A Confession (vs 27-30).
• If you were to go around asking your friends, "What do people say about me?"
• They would probably take it as an evidence of insecurity or pride.
• Question: What difference does it really make what people think or say about us?
• We are not that important!
• But what people believe and say about Jesus Christ is important,
• Ultimately the answer affects not just this life but the whole of eternity!
Ill:
• 2,000 years ago the citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say,
• "Caesar is Lord!"
• That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens,
• But it could never save them from their sins and from God’s judgement.
• The only confession that saves us is "Jesus Christ is Lord!" (1 Cor. 12:1-3)
• When that confession comes from a heart that truly believes in Him (Rom. 10:9-10).
Notice:
A GENERAL QUESTION (VS 27):
• Before Jesus asks for a personal response from his disciples;
• He asks a general question (Vs 27): "Who do people say I am?"
• The disciples are keen to answer (verse 28):
• “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others one of the prophets”
• They are happy to speak up and tell him what the crowd are saying.
A PERSONAL QUESTION (VS 29): "Who do you (plural) say I am?"
• I guess there was now an embarrassing silence as they all looked down;
• Hoping somebody else might answer it.
• They knew to get the answer to this question wrong was big trouble.
• For a Jew a wrong answer could mean blasphemy!
• These disciples have spent the past two and half years following Jesus;
• They have observed his life, listened to his words and seen his miracles.
• As they allowed that evidence to flow through their minds;
• It should bring them to a clear conclusion - Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah,
Ill:
• And like the blind man you looked at last week;
• These disciples was slowly beginning to see that;
• They were slowly moving from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight;
• From spiritual ignorance to spiritual enlightenment!
Now the question needed an answer:
• And as usual when this group of twelve men needed a spokesman;
• They found one in Simon Peter.
• Peter’s confession was bold and uncompromising,
• Just as ours should be: "You are the Christ!"
Note:
• Peter had just made a unique confession:
• Although there had been other declarations of faith prior to this one.
• ill: Nathaniel had confessed Christ as the Son of God (John 1:49),
• ill: The disciples had declared Him God’s Son after He stilled the storm (Matthew 14:33).
Question: Why did this confession differ from those that preceded it?
Answer: 3 reasons.
(a).
• Jesus himself explicitly asked for this confession.
• That in itself makes this a unique occasion.
(B).
• This was not an emotional response from exited people who had just seen a miracle,
• This was not a knee-jerk reaction, a spur of the moment response.
• This was the carefully thought through, sincere statement;
• Of a man who had been given insight God.
(C). Jesus needed to hear this confession,
• It would be a major building block in the discipleship of these twelve men,
• Now the Lord could carry on building further blocks of truth.
• The time invested in these twelve men had not be in vain,
• All of the Lord’s ministry to His disciples had been preparing them for this experience.
• Now he could go on an explain another new and deep truth;
• Now the disciples know who he is, it is time to explain why he had come!
(3). An explanation (Verses 31):
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again”.
• Having declared His person, Jesus now declared His work;
• The two must go together.
• He would go to Jerusalem, & suffer at the hands of the “elders, chief priests and scribes”,
• These three groups of men made up the Sanhedrin;
• The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel.
• In total there were 71 members - these religious leaders would ultimately condemn Jesus.
• Note: Jesus said his suffering would lead to death.
• This was His first clear statement of His death,
• Although He had hinted at this before (i.e. John chapter 2 verse 19; chapter 3 verse 14)
• Now he was stating the matter plainly.
Notice:
• He also mentioned the resurrection.
• Whenever Jesus spoke about his death, he also mentions the resurrection!
• Ill: Vicar preached on the cross and the snotty little boy;
• “Just one mistake....left him on the cross”.
(3). A rebuke (Vs 32-33):
“He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
• Peter was shocked by this statement of Jesus having to die;
• The other disciples no doubt felt the same, but appear to have kept quiet.
• Remember that it would have been hard for any Jew at this time in history;
• To imagine the Messiah suffering, rejection and death.
• The whole nation were looking for a powerful Messiah (to defeat the Romans),
• What Jesus describes is a picture of weakness not power.
• They wanted a Messiah;
• Who would kick out the Romans and set up his earthly kingdom.
• No wonder Peter was aghast,
• This description of the Messiah given by Jesus did not fit his understanding at all.
Ill:
Birthday card:
• Outside: “You are the answer to my prayers”.
• Inside: “You’re not what I asked for but apparently you are the answer”.
Verse 33:
• Jesus turned and said to Peter:
• "Get behind Me, adversary! You are a stumbling block to Me!" (literal translation)
I think Jesus spoke to Peter:
• Not in anger but in sadness.
• Peter’s words had wounded Jesus in his heart.
• Peter was doing exactly what Satan himself tried to do in the wilderness temptation.
• He was trying to get Jesus to avoid the cross.
• Only these words of temptation came not from an open enemy like in the wilderness,
• But from a friend, someone Jesus loved and cared for.
(5). A challenge (Verse 34-38):
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
• The words that follow emphasise the cross.
• Jesus presented to the disciples two approaches to life:
deny yourself live for yourself
take up your cross ignore the cross
follow Christ follow the world
lose your life for save your life
live for his sake live for your own sake
forsake the world gain the world
keep your soul lose your soul
share His reward and glory lose His reward and glory
To take up the cross simply means;
• Not to follow the crowd in their lifestyle and attitudes;
• But instead to identify with Christ in His rejection, shame, suffering, and death.
• Note: that suffering always leads to lasting glory, this is why Jesus;
• Ended this short sermon with a reference to His Father’s glory (vs 38).
Ill:
Crowd or the cross DVD.
