Who is Jesus? - Mark 8:27-33
Who is Jesus? - Mark 8:27-33
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 16, 2010 AM
What you believe about something says a lot about you truly accept as correct. There are folks who believe that there are many ways to heaven, yet they cannot relate any one particular way. Often their explanations degenerate into a kind of blurred quasi-spiritual mumbo-jumbo about how one feels religious. I would venture that no sane person would accept the same kind of nonsense when trying to get his or her brakes fixed. “There are many ways to fix your breaks. We offer you several options from using a big rock tied to a rope, to whatever makes you feel comfortable within yourself. We here at Inner Peace Motors want you to connect with your car.” Doesn’t quite work, does it?
As Jesus and his disciples were headed from one area of ministry to the next, Jesus pauses along the way and asks them a pointed question concerning who they think he is. Their answers of what others think and Peter’s open confession, tells us a lot about why Jesus would ask this question of them. He had just healed a blind man, and now he desires to know if his own followers can see as well. Let’s discover how…
READ: Mark 8:27-33
Having studied people and the Scriptures for more than 35 years, I have discovered that you can immediately tell a lot about a man by what he says he believes about Jesus. Notice I did not say, “What he believes about God.” Sadly, a lot of men never think about God, except to see him perhaps in his creation of their children as babies or in nature when they go hunting or fishing. From the religious narrow-minded leaders of his day, to the rough and tumble fishermen that accompanied him, Jesus demanded answers from them as to who they thought he was. Let’s ask ourselves…
I. Who is Jesus to me? (Vv. 27-28)
1. Jesus is more than one of the “guys” – he is God! Here, in this section of Mark’s gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples walking along a road, headed to “to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’” It seems to be a simple question, but in reality, it is not. The answer demands a deeper understanding of Jesus that many men fail to grasp, especially in our day and age. The men answer not from whom they thought Jesus was, but rather as in how others saw Jesus, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” It gives us some insight to how men see Jesus. Often they see him as just another good old boy, like John the Baptist. Jesus was just one of the boys who could spit and chew with the rest of them, and who would stir up trouble with the status quo. Others see Jesus as a righteous dude, like Elijah, who went about doing good things for widows and orphans. Then there are those who are not quite sure of who Jesus is but realize in some vague way that he might somehow be a holy man of God. And they know that he might be coming back again and all of those who did dirt to others will get theirs. It is kind of a rather convoluted Catholic premillennial dispensational History Channel end times Nostradamus view of Jesus. Now listen how Paul described Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:15-20). Jesus did not want the “crowd” answer from his disciples. He wanted to know who he was to each of them. It is a question we must ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus to me?”
EXAMPLE: Jesus is more than a good man or a great teacher. He is more than a pal he is our friend. A friendship with Jesus is more than being a BFF or best friend. Jesus is our friend because he chose to be that for us. I love it when Denise says, “You’re my best friend.” However, as much as I love her, I know that I occasionally do something that is not so “best friend-ish. In fact, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot live up to the high standard of being a friend who never lets others down. We all fail from time to time—forgetting to do what we should or simply allowing selfishness to build a barrier between us. As believers, we take comfort in knowing that we are called a friend of God, and He is a true friend who never fails. Abraham “was called God's friend,” and that friendship was related to his faith (James 2:23). Jesus explained how we can receive that designation as well. He said to His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). There is no better friend, for we know that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Ask yourself this morning, “Who is Jesus to me?”
Your answer says a lot about what you truly believe about Jesus. Interestingly there are those who want to use any response they can in order to assuage their own sin guilt. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the people say I am?” they gave him all kinds of answers. Then Jesus does something curious, he pointedly asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Why would Jesus do that? I believe Jesus wanted them to understand fully who he was, because if they did not, what was going to occur would leave them bewildered and spiritually shattered. Therefore, let’s ask ourselves…
II. Who do I say Jesus is? (Vv. 29-30)
1. You may not get the Messiah you wanted - Jesus is Savior and Lord! The crowds of Jesus’ day wanted someone who would solve their physical, financial, or national problems. Most were not that concerned about their spirituality. The religious leaders of the day had spiritually blinded them to the reality of their situation. The crowd was comfortable in allowing them to dictate what they should do concerning their relationship with God. They were contented with their festivals, religious ceremonies, and perpetual sacrifices. And, believe me, so were the religious leaders. They were getting quite wealthy off the dupes in the crowd. Jesus now pointedly asks, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” You would think that after Peter’s answer, Jesus would have praised him, given him the keys to something. Matthew’s gospel relates Jesus tells Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 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) Nowhere do we find him giving Peter the title of “Papa,” Pope or the job of main gatekeeper of heaven. Jesus gives the authority, “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” to his church (his body in the world) that is his followers: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1Corinthians 12:27). Peter sees Jesus as the “Christ” (Messiah) but Peter’s view of him is still distorted by the world just as the crowd’s view of Jesus was. He then warns “them not to tell anyone about him.” The crowd wanted the wrong Messiah. Whether you realize it or not what you actually do and how you relate to those around you displays to rest of the world what you truly believe about Jesus. Are you displaying the wrong Messiah to the world? So, who do you say Jesus is?
EXAMPLE: While you might say with your lips that you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, what do you say with your life? We can deny Jesus so easily. David McCasland writes about a businessman who “often places a Bible verse or a thought-provoking saying on a sign outside his building.” It is a public witness for Jesus. One time as David drove past, the sign contained just two words: “Yes, Lord.” The words stayed on his mind. “Was there any situation to which they did not hold the key?” McCasland couldn't think of one. How wonderful to began every day with those two words! “Yes, Lord. I’ll be content where I am instead of wishing I were somewhere else.” “Yes, Lord. I’ll trust you for the outcome of the uncertainty gnawing at my mind.” “Yes, Lord. I’ll open my heart and hand with the joyous generosity you love.” Wouldn’t every trouble we face today fade if we began with the trusting response of “Yes, Lord!” Now, who do you say Jesus is?
When we deny who Jesus is, we forget that we then become part of the other side. We become enemies of the cross. In fact, we can be Satanic in our relationship with Jesus. Are you surprised by what I just said? Yet that is exactly where we place ourselves when we join with Peter in rebuking Jesus. We may have to remind ourselves of whom Satan is and what he likes to do. Scripture relates he is a powerful created angel who wanted to be like God, was full of pride, took a whole lot of other angels with him in his pride, and fell from God’s favor because of it. He now is mankind’s accuser before the throne of God, he is deceptive, and a liar. So, finally, we must ask ourselves…
III. Am I being Satan to Jesus? (Vv. 31-33)
1. Jesus’ plans will not be dissuaded – even if it cramps our life! Remember, Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Yet, also notice that immediately “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. He spoke plainly about this….” And then Peter blows it, “took him aside and began to rebuke him.” Literally he told Jesus what he was saying wasn’t true! Jesus then “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.’” (Mark 8:30-33) Now that is surprising coming from Jesus to one of his favorite disciples. Why would Jesus be so harsh to Peter? Satan was the source of Peter’s thoughts. Peter was selfishly placing himself on the other side, the side of the enemy. Do you remember when Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness? Peter took on Satan’s role with Jesus when he tried to dissuade Jesus from his true task in life. Peter loved Jesus but he was misguided in what he desired for Jesus. Do you know that we do the very same thing when we try to persuade Jesus in another direction for our own lives or in the lives of others? Now I know you are already trying to make excuses as to why you do not do that and how you could never be like Satan, but oh yes we can. You see Jesus called Peter “Satan,” because Peter presumed to know what was best for Jesus and thereby for his life and the lives of everyone else as well. Peter was being selfish. He wanted Jesus to live and not to do the very thing he came to earth to do – die on a cross for our sins! We are just as satanically selfish when we try to convince Jesus we know so much better than he does about our lives in him. Now, let’s get real here for a moment and ask ourselves, “Am I being Satan to Jesus?”
EXAMPLE: How can we become “Satan” in our relationship with Jesus? We do it when we know we should join a church and serve, but do not do so. We do it when we know we should be tithing, but we give all kinds of excuses as to why we do not tithe. We do it when we know we should witness, especially after the Holy Spirit has laid someone on our heart and mind, and yet we find anything else to do rather than witness to the person. We do it when we know we should have a time alone with God in prayer, but we allow so many other things to steal away our time alone with God. We do it when God has asked us to trust him with the here and now and yet we find so many reasons to go ahead of him and try to make our plan into his plan. We do it when we blame others for our lack of faith. No matter how we try to slice it any other way, every time we try to dissuade Jesus’ plan in our lives, we are being Satanic and swallowing a lie. Tough words but they are true. Now, what do you think you should ask yourself today? Perhaps, it should be, “Am I being Satan to Jesus?”
Conclusion:
We have learned from today’s passage in Mark just who Jesus is. We did that by asking ourselves three important questions: 1) Who is Jesus to me? 2) Who do I say Jesus is? And 3) Am I being Satan to Jesus? What have you discovered about Jesus in your life?
—-
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 16, 2010 AM
What you believe about something says a lot about you truly accept as correct. There are folks who believe that there are many ways to heaven, yet they cannot relate any one particular way. Often their explanations degenerate into a kind of blurred quasi-spiritual mumbo-jumbo about how one feels religious. I would venture that no sane person would accept the same kind of nonsense when trying to get his or her brakes fixed. “There are many ways to fix your breaks. We offer you several options from using a big rock tied to a rope, to whatever makes you feel comfortable within yourself. We here at Inner Peace Motors want you to connect with your car.” Doesn’t quite work, does it?
As Jesus and his disciples were headed from one area of ministry to the next, Jesus pauses along the way and asks them a pointed question concerning who they think he is. Their answers of what others think and Peter’s open confession, tells us a lot about why Jesus would ask this question of them. He had just healed a blind man, and now he desires to know if his own followers can see as well. Let’s discover how…
READ: Mark 8:27-33
Having studied people and the Scriptures for more than 35 years, I have discovered that you can immediately tell a lot about a man by what he says he believes about Jesus. Notice I did not say, “What he believes about God.” Sadly, a lot of men never think about God, except to see him perhaps in his creation of their children as babies or in nature when they go hunting or fishing. From the religious narrow-minded leaders of his day, to the rough and tumble fishermen that accompanied him, Jesus demanded answers from them as to who they thought he was. Let’s ask ourselves…
I. Who is Jesus to me? (Vv. 27-28)
1. Jesus is more than one of the “guys” – he is God! Here, in this section of Mark’s gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples walking along a road, headed to “to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’” It seems to be a simple question, but in reality, it is not. The answer demands a deeper understanding of Jesus that many men fail to grasp, especially in our day and age. The men answer not from whom they thought Jesus was, but rather as in how others saw Jesus, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” It gives us some insight to how men see Jesus. Often they see him as just another good old boy, like John the Baptist. Jesus was just one of the boys who could spit and chew with the rest of them, and who would stir up trouble with the status quo. Others see Jesus as a righteous dude, like Elijah, who went about doing good things for widows and orphans. Then there are those who are not quite sure of who Jesus is but realize in some vague way that he might somehow be a holy man of God. And they know that he might be coming back again and all of those who did dirt to others will get theirs. It is kind of a rather convoluted Catholic premillennial dispensational History Channel end times Nostradamus view of Jesus. Now listen how Paul described Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:15-20). Jesus did not want the “crowd” answer from his disciples. He wanted to know who he was to each of them. It is a question we must ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus to me?”
EXAMPLE: Jesus is more than a good man or a great teacher. He is more than a pal he is our friend. A friendship with Jesus is more than being a BFF or best friend. Jesus is our friend because he chose to be that for us. I love it when Denise says, “You’re my best friend.” However, as much as I love her, I know that I occasionally do something that is not so “best friend-ish. In fact, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot live up to the high standard of being a friend who never lets others down. We all fail from time to time—forgetting to do what we should or simply allowing selfishness to build a barrier between us. As believers, we take comfort in knowing that we are called a friend of God, and He is a true friend who never fails. Abraham “was called God's friend,” and that friendship was related to his faith (James 2:23). Jesus explained how we can receive that designation as well. He said to His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). There is no better friend, for we know that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Ask yourself this morning, “Who is Jesus to me?”
Your answer says a lot about what you truly believe about Jesus. Interestingly there are those who want to use any response they can in order to assuage their own sin guilt. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the people say I am?” they gave him all kinds of answers. Then Jesus does something curious, he pointedly asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Why would Jesus do that? I believe Jesus wanted them to understand fully who he was, because if they did not, what was going to occur would leave them bewildered and spiritually shattered. Therefore, let’s ask ourselves…
II. Who do I say Jesus is? (Vv. 29-30)
1. You may not get the Messiah you wanted - Jesus is Savior and Lord! The crowds of Jesus’ day wanted someone who would solve their physical, financial, or national problems. Most were not that concerned about their spirituality. The religious leaders of the day had spiritually blinded them to the reality of their situation. The crowd was comfortable in allowing them to dictate what they should do concerning their relationship with God. They were contented with their festivals, religious ceremonies, and perpetual sacrifices. And, believe me, so were the religious leaders. They were getting quite wealthy off the dupes in the crowd. Jesus now pointedly asks, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” You would think that after Peter’s answer, Jesus would have praised him, given him the keys to something. Matthew’s gospel relates Jesus tells Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 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) Nowhere do we find him giving Peter the title of “Papa,” Pope or the job of main gatekeeper of heaven. Jesus gives the authority, “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” to his church (his body in the world) that is his followers: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1Corinthians 12:27). Peter sees Jesus as the “Christ” (Messiah) but Peter’s view of him is still distorted by the world just as the crowd’s view of Jesus was. He then warns “them not to tell anyone about him.” The crowd wanted the wrong Messiah. Whether you realize it or not what you actually do and how you relate to those around you displays to rest of the world what you truly believe about Jesus. Are you displaying the wrong Messiah to the world? So, who do you say Jesus is?
EXAMPLE: While you might say with your lips that you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, what do you say with your life? We can deny Jesus so easily. David McCasland writes about a businessman who “often places a Bible verse or a thought-provoking saying on a sign outside his building.” It is a public witness for Jesus. One time as David drove past, the sign contained just two words: “Yes, Lord.” The words stayed on his mind. “Was there any situation to which they did not hold the key?” McCasland couldn't think of one. How wonderful to began every day with those two words! “Yes, Lord. I’ll be content where I am instead of wishing I were somewhere else.” “Yes, Lord. I’ll trust you for the outcome of the uncertainty gnawing at my mind.” “Yes, Lord. I’ll open my heart and hand with the joyous generosity you love.” Wouldn’t every trouble we face today fade if we began with the trusting response of “Yes, Lord!” Now, who do you say Jesus is?
When we deny who Jesus is, we forget that we then become part of the other side. We become enemies of the cross. In fact, we can be Satanic in our relationship with Jesus. Are you surprised by what I just said? Yet that is exactly where we place ourselves when we join with Peter in rebuking Jesus. We may have to remind ourselves of whom Satan is and what he likes to do. Scripture relates he is a powerful created angel who wanted to be like God, was full of pride, took a whole lot of other angels with him in his pride, and fell from God’s favor because of it. He now is mankind’s accuser before the throne of God, he is deceptive, and a liar. So, finally, we must ask ourselves…
III. Am I being Satan to Jesus? (Vv. 31-33)
1. Jesus’ plans will not be dissuaded – even if it cramps our life! Remember, Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Yet, also notice that immediately “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. He spoke plainly about this….” And then Peter blows it, “took him aside and began to rebuke him.” Literally he told Jesus what he was saying wasn’t true! Jesus then “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.’” (Mark 8:30-33) Now that is surprising coming from Jesus to one of his favorite disciples. Why would Jesus be so harsh to Peter? Satan was the source of Peter’s thoughts. Peter was selfishly placing himself on the other side, the side of the enemy. Do you remember when Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness? Peter took on Satan’s role with Jesus when he tried to dissuade Jesus from his true task in life. Peter loved Jesus but he was misguided in what he desired for Jesus. Do you know that we do the very same thing when we try to persuade Jesus in another direction for our own lives or in the lives of others? Now I know you are already trying to make excuses as to why you do not do that and how you could never be like Satan, but oh yes we can. You see Jesus called Peter “Satan,” because Peter presumed to know what was best for Jesus and thereby for his life and the lives of everyone else as well. Peter was being selfish. He wanted Jesus to live and not to do the very thing he came to earth to do – die on a cross for our sins! We are just as satanically selfish when we try to convince Jesus we know so much better than he does about our lives in him. Now, let’s get real here for a moment and ask ourselves, “Am I being Satan to Jesus?”
EXAMPLE: How can we become “Satan” in our relationship with Jesus? We do it when we know we should join a church and serve, but do not do so. We do it when we know we should be tithing, but we give all kinds of excuses as to why we do not tithe. We do it when we know we should witness, especially after the Holy Spirit has laid someone on our heart and mind, and yet we find anything else to do rather than witness to the person. We do it when we know we should have a time alone with God in prayer, but we allow so many other things to steal away our time alone with God. We do it when God has asked us to trust him with the here and now and yet we find so many reasons to go ahead of him and try to make our plan into his plan. We do it when we blame others for our lack of faith. No matter how we try to slice it any other way, every time we try to dissuade Jesus’ plan in our lives, we are being Satanic and swallowing a lie. Tough words but they are true. Now, what do you think you should ask yourself today? Perhaps, it should be, “Am I being Satan to Jesus?”
Conclusion:
We have learned from today’s passage in Mark just who Jesus is. We did that by asking ourselves three important questions: 1) Who is Jesus to me? 2) Who do I say Jesus is? And 3) Am I being Satan to Jesus? What have you discovered about Jesus in your life?
—-
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
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