What do you think about Jesus? Mark 8:27-30
Here is the passage known as the “Great Confession.” The dictionary definition of confess is to admit or acknowledge. We are used to seeing confessions in detective shows. The detective brings out the evidence of crime and the guilty finally declares, OK I did it, I am guilty. They admit or acknowledge their deed.
Sometimes confessions can be shocking. That happens when someone admits or acknowledges something that surprises everyone. Peter’s confession is not like that. In just a few simple words Peter makes a statement known as the Great confession. Peter acknowledges the greatest truth of all, “Jesus, you are the Christ.”
Peter's Confession of Christ:
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. (Mark 8:27-30)
Jesus is finally alone with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi. He has been trying for an occasion alone with them since chapter 6. He sent out the twelve, tried to retreat, fed the 5,000, walks on water, confronts the Pharisees, cleanses a woman’s demon possessed daughter, heals a deaf man, feeds 4,000 and restores sight of a blind man.
Now Jesus gets his disciples ready for rough roads ahead. Jesus has a great question to ask the disciples, but first he asks the lead up question. Who do people say I am? There are a lot of rumors churning through the rumor mill about this one.
Some say John the Baptist. You can see some similarities. Both John and Jesus preached repentance. Both had the attention of the multitudes. At the beginning of Johns public ministry, they confused Jesus the Messiah with John the forerunner and asked him to clarify his role.
There was rumors circulating and question put to John ever since John the Baptist came on the scene baptizing for repentance.
Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:24-27)
John was the cousin of Jesus and was sent to make ready for Jesus’ ministry.
Mark 6:14-16 Jesus’ name was becoming well known saying John the Baptist was raised from the dead. Herrod thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised, who he had beheaded.
Some say Elijah the prophet. Elijah was a man of miracles. He called fire down from heaven. Elijah’s life on earth did not end the traditional way of death and a funeral. He was caught up to heaven in a whirlwind when the chariots of God swung down. People said that Jesus, this miracle worker might be Elijah.
There were rumors circulating that Jesus was one of the prophets. Matthews Gospel also mentioned Jeremiah.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:13-14)
Jesus was like Jeremiah and some of the other prophets in that the religious leaders opposed them. Both were living with constant death threats because of the pointed preaching they delivered.
What if you asked that question today about Jesus. Who do people say Jesus is? If you conducted your own survey poll, what would you find out? What are people saying regards to who Jesus is?
There many who hold to a teaching today that fall as short as the prevailing views in Jesus day. Some say he is a created being, others that he is one of many pre-existing spirits, still others an example, a good moral teacher, a prophet …………. But not the unique Son of God.
Jesus moves on to the great question that produced the great confession. Who do you say I am?
Up until now all the disciples had been giving the response. It may have been that different disciples added the different prevailing views they had been hearing. But now the answer is given by Peter.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Peter, the natural spokesman for the group responds. You can picture Jesus looking right at Peter when Peter says, you are the Christ. It means the anointed one. Jesus you are the Christ the Son of the living God.
Jesus is about to disclose and prepare them for the tragic events that will soon happen. How he must suffer, even die and be raised again. The disciples need to know Jesus is the Christ, son of the Living God. Upon this confession Jesus builds his church. Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone.
The messiah Son of God said so much. The awaited one, the Savior, the restorer of Israel. What is soon to take place in God’s divine plan has not come to full timing, so Jesus tells his disciples not to tell anyone. The crowd already tried to thwart Jesus mission by after the feeding of 5,000.
Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 16:15)
So, Jesus tells them not to tell this publicly yet. Let God reveal this as He did to Peter.
Peter answered, admitted and confessed; Jesus is the Christ.
Now the great question for you is not what others thought then or currently think now about Jesus. What do you think about Jesus?
Jesus turns to you. He looks directly at you like he did for Peter, and asks, who do you say that I am? What do you think? Where do you stand? Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Can you make the great confession?
That is the most important matter you will ever settle in your whole life. What is your response to Jesus?
Jesus’ mission hinged on his disciples understanding this. A true confession of Jesus Christ will produce Spiritual Birth in the disciples. They will turn the world upside down. Jesus Christ is giving new life to the multitudes that are spiritually dead. Jesus asks you, who do you say that I am.
Listen to the voice of God. Jesus asks you the great question. Who do you say that I am?
Will you make the great confession? Jesus you are the Christ, Son of the Living God.
Your commitment to Christ. Peter made his confession of Christ. Now is the time for you to make yours. Here is a prayer for you to pray:
Dear God, I thank you that you loved me and desire a relationship with me. I acknowledge that I have sinned and broken my relationship with you. I ask that Jesus Christ death on the cross count for my sins. I ask Jesus to come into my heart and make me a new person. I want to follow Jesus with my whole heart. I thank you God that our relationship is restored through Jesus Christ. Amen.
What Jesus was preparing them for was his death, burial, and resurrection. This was his whole purpose in coming. He died for our sins rose again. He ascended to heaven the Holy Spirit came that Jesus would build. his church
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)
