Who Do Say that He Is?

 

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?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. (Mark 8:27-30 ESV).

 

In our reading for today we encounter the central question of Jesus' ministry. This is a question that Peter must answer. It is also the question that every person who has ever lived must answer when Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?"

 

This is a fascinating question, because Jesus focuses not on his teaching but on himself. In our day this often gets confused. We must remember that our Christian faith is not just based on a set of propositions but on a Person. Without Jesus himself, our faith crumbles. Without Jesus, our faith is empty.

 

That's why it doesn't work to dabble in just a little bit of the Christian faith, taking in a little of this or that and ignoring the rest. We cannot settle for a little bit of Jesus. We must accept him as he is, on his terms.

 

Peter, with guidance from the Father (cf. Matthew 16:17), jumps in with an answer that was wiser and more profound than even he realized at the moment: "You are the Christ." In other words, Peter was saying, "Jesus, you are not just a great teacher or prophet. You are the Messiah, the promised one sent by God who has come to save his people. You are the One who will rescue us from the consequences of our sins."

 

Jesus wants to hear your answer to his question too. Who do you say he is?