"And You, Who Do You Say I Am?"

Mark 8:27-33

27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, "Who do the people say I am?" 28 "Some say 'John the Baptizer,'" they said. "Others say 'Elijah.' Still others say 'one of the prophets.'" 29 He then asked, "And you-- what are you saying about me? Who am I?" Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah." 30 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. 31 He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." 32 He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. But Peter grabbed him in protest. 33 Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."

Food for thought

Our lives are filled with questions. Some of the questions we are faced with are very mundane and routine. For instance, “What shall I wear today?”, “Where do you want to eat dinner?”, and “What do you want to watch on television?”, are not questions that have long term implications in our lives. Some of life’s questions are just plain unanswerable. For instance, “Why do women open their mouths when they put on eye makeup?”, “Why do men refuse to stop and ask for directions?” But, some of life’s questions are terribly important. Consider the following questions for instance, “When, how, where will I die?"

In this passage, Jesus asks two questions that are eternal in nature. The first question has to do with what others say about Jesus. The second has to do with our personal opinion of Who Jesus is. Let us dwell on the second. It comes after hearing His disciples tell Him what others say, Jesus asks them for their opinion. He has heard public opinion, now He wants to hear their personal opinion.

"And you-- what are you saying about me? Who am I?"

This is the moment of truth! Everything Jesus has taught them and shown them has been leading up to this moment in time. Every miracle was leading to this one moment in time. Every word of truth Jesus spoke was leading His men to this great spiritual crossroad. Their response to this question would let Jesus know how effective His personal ministry to these men had been. It is a simple question, but it is filled with eternal implications.

As you read this, know that Jesus is once again making that same question to you and me. Many of us call Jesus what others call him; this is not enough. We have to come up with our, your and my, answer; an answer that is personal. We have to make Jesus a personal discovery, a personal friend, a personal Lord.

So, who is Jesus to you? See below who the Bible says He is.

1. Adam, Advocate, Anointed, Apostle, Author, Amen, Alpha, Ancient of Days.
2. The Beginning, the Begotten, Beloved, Branch, Bread, Bridegroom, Bright and Morning Star, Bishop of our souls, Brightness of the Father’s glory.
3. Captain of our Salvation, Consolation, Chief Cornerstone, Counselor, Covenant, Chosen of God, Christ.
4. The Daysman, Deliverer, Dayspring, Daystar, Door, Desire of all nations.
5. The Elect, Ensign, Emmanuel, Everlasting Father.
6. Finisher of our faith, Friend, Forerunner, First Fruits, Faithful Witness, Fountain of life issuing from the cave of death.
7. God, Gift of God, Governor, Guide, Glorious Lord.
8. Help, Hope, Husband, Horn of Salvation, Hearer, Head of the Church, Heir of all things, High Priest, Hell’s dread, Heaven’s wonder - the Holy One.
9. I Am, Inheritance, Image of God’s Person, Immortal and Invisible.
10. Judah, Just, Judge, Jesus.
11. King of Israel, King of Kings, King of Glory, King Everlasting.
12. The Life, the Light, Love, Lily, Lion, Lamb, Lawgiver, Living Stone, the Lord of glory.
13. Messenger, Mediator, Master, Messiah, Mighty God, Mercy’s Paradox.
14. The Nazarene.
15. Offspring of David, Omega, Only Begotten of God, Offering and Offerer.
16. Priest, Passover, Potentate, Prophet, Propitiation, Prince of Life, Prince of Peace, Physician.
17. Righteousness, Rabbi, Ransom, Rest, Root of Jesse, Root of David, Refiner, Refuge, Resurrection, Rose of Sharon, Ruler, Rock of Ages, Regenerate Breath.
18. Stone, Shepherd, Son of God, Son of Man, Shield, Servant, Surety, Sufferer, Saviour, Sinless Sacrifice, the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever.
19. Teacher, Truth, Tabernacle, Testator, Treasure, Tree of Life.
20. Witness, Word, Way, Wisdom of God, Wonderful.

..... (this is for you to fill). God bless you!