Who Am I? Mark 8:27-33
In a posting just this last June, Kevin DeYoung, in his Restless and Reformed blog, describes what people say about Jesus today.
"There's the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases and activist judges, for family values and owning firearms.
“There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street and Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.
“There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life’s problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.
"There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals.
"There's Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as Himself).
"There's Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes run faster and jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.
"Martyr Jesus—a good man who died a cruel death so we can feel sorry for him.
"There's Gentle Jesus—who was meek and mild, with high cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash (while looking very Brittish).
"There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that ‘all you need is love.’
"There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.
"There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches, pastors, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature, finding ‘the god within’ while listening to ambiguously spiritual music.
"There's Platitude Jesus—good for Christmas specials, greeting cards, and bad sermons, and inspiring people to believe in themselves.
"There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on 'the system.'
"There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.
"There's Boyfriend Jesus—who wraps his arms around us as we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.
"There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.
"And then there’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Not just another prophet. Not just another Rabbi. Not just another wonder-worker. He was the one they had been waiting for: the Son of David and Abraham’s chosen seed, the one to deliver us from captivity, the goal of the Mosaic law, Yahweh in the flesh, the one to establish God’s reign and rule, the one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and proclaim good news to the poor, the lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world." (Adapted from Kevin DeYoung).
Mark 8:27-33 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
(Prayer)
After many threats from Herod Antipas and the Pharisees in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples go north to safer grounds in Ceasaria Philippi.
I. The Rumored Conclusion
As they traveled, Jesus poses a question: What are the rumors about who I am? They knew too well the rumors, they had heard the talk and had taken note. The people, including Herod, recognized that Jesus was an exceptional person, even one who was raised from the dead. Herod already said that Jesus must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. Others thought Jesus was a prophet.
Note: When men seek an explanation, we tend to look at the flesh and blood solution.
The popular opinion did not point to Jesus as being God in the flesh.
II. The Reasoned Confession
So Jesus asked, "Who am I to you?" Peter pointed to the heavenly view, the Father in Heaven. Matthew say, Peter added, "...the Son of the living God." Mark probably did not include it because he heard it from Peter, who humbly did not include it as bragging.
III. The Rational Caution
Jesus answered, "Don't tell anyone." Why not tell anyone? The verses that follow this predict the gospel.
I Corinthians 15:3-4 1Co 15:3 " For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures"
That is the Gospel. When Jesus said, "Don't go telling that," it was before the completion of the gospel. Now, after the resurrection, He says, ""All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20.
IV. The Repudiating Confusion
After sharing with the disciples the gospel (that He must be delivered, die and rise again), Peter pulled Him aside. He says, "You can't be saying those things. You are the Christ, the liberator of Israel. You will conquer."
First, Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan."
You may ask, "Bro. Tim, I don't think Jesus would ever say something so sharp to Peter.
He is love, you know."
OK, why did Jesus bring up Satan?
Peter was objecting with the expectation that Jesus could accomplish His mission without going to the cross. Isn't that what Satan had already attempted to temp Jesus into?
In this verse, Jesus mentions the three enemies of the Christian life.
V. The Rebuking Correcting.
"Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Satan, self and society. In other words, the devil, your mind and the world. There is a whole other sermon here, but just take note for now.
Jesus brought this up by asking two questions: Popular opinion and your view. Perhaps Jesus asked the first question to help the disciples focus on the task. There would be a challenge to change people's opinion of who Jesus is. Then He directed them to their hearts, the strength it would take to take on the challenge.
VI. The Resolute Certainty
After all lesser questions of life, the ultimate question is always asked. Jesus asks you today, "Who am I to you?"
You won't go very far if you don't know who Jesus really is. Today our Baptist colleges and seminaries are struggling anew on who Jesus is. They are questioning whether we have the Word of God, there was a virgin birth, or whether Jesus is coming again. They are saying that the spiritual message of the Bible, without it being taken literally, is enough to better humanity. They are wrong. Jesus is God. The Bible is the Word of God and there was a virgin birth, literal substitutionary and sacrificial death, and a burial and resurrection. He ascended up to heaven, and promised to come again. He is coming soon.
You are wasting your time if you are not sure who Jesus is. You see, the entire matter rests on your belief about Jesus.
Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
Joh 1:1-5, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it....14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Col 1:11-20 tells us who Jesus is. I challenge to study it. Some of you may want to memorize.
Paul prays for the strength in Spirit of the Colossians, for endurance and patience with joy.
He thanks God the Father for the Colossians for calling and adopting them, delivering them from darkness and bringing them into the kingdom of Jesus. It is Jesus who redeemed them and forgave their sins. Then he describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God. Want to see God? Look at Jesus. He continues by saying Jesus created all things Himself for Himself and keeps them. Such a lofty being has chosen to be our head, the head of the Church. He is preeminent. Look that word up. It means He is above all beings. He is all God and all man to reconnect us with our God, making peace by the blood of the cross.
That is the summary of Col 1:11-20, but you must check it out for yourself and answer the question: Who is Jesus in my life? What place in my thinking, time in my week, priority in my values?
In A.D. 325, the Nicaean council attempted to control a split in Christianity based upon the teaching of Arias. He taught that Jesus was created by God at his birth. In other words, Arias taught that Jesus was not the eternal God and creator.
The split continued to grow. The churches decided to meet again, seeking unity. In A.D. 381 at the council of Constanople, Gregory of Nazianzus, A.D. 381, despite his desire to unify all Christians said:
"He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death."
In other words, to Gregory, the truth about the identity of Jesus is non-negotiable.
The most important question you can ask today is, Who is Jesus Christ? It is not the confession of your mouth, although it starts there. It begins with who do you SAY that I am. But unlike Peter in this episode, it must be followed by how we live.
It must shine most when we are tired, angry, tired, offended. Just as Jesus was brought to the end of all of His strength, we must be brought to the end of our strength in order to shine. When we are frustrated, angry, hurt and at the end of our patience, that is when we really tell if Jesus is Lord.
Those times are when we MUST focus on Jesus Christ, His Spirit, and the strength of the Father. That is when we really demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ.
If you have never been saved, today is the day.
If you have not made Jesus Lord of your weak moments, today is the day.
