Mark 8:27-30 "And Jesus went out, and his
disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his
disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? (28) And
they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the
prophets. (29) And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. (30)
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him."
The people had never encountered a man such as Jesus. They truly did not know what to make of Him. There was much speculation concerning Him. Some thought He was one of the prophets of old who had been brought back from the dead. Some thought He was John the Baptist revived. As they were traveling along, Jesus talked to His disciples concerning this. "Whom do men say I am?" Of course, we know that Jesus already knew the answer, but it seems His intention was to get to the heart of what His disciples were thinking.
In God's Word, there are often questions asked by God. For instance, "Adam where art thou?" He asked Jacob when wrestling with him, "What is your name?" When Elijah was discouraged and hid himself in a cave, the Lord asked "What doest thou here?" It seems the purpose for God asking a question is not to enlighten Himself; rather, He asks questions of us to make us stop and think. Adam was hiding because he had transgressed God's one command. Jacob needed to stop and think about his life and what he had done to bring himself to that place. Elijah had confronted the prophets of Baal, yet he ran for fear of his life when Jezebel threatened him. God's questions to us are to make us stop and think about what we are doing and where our actions have taken us.
"Whom do men say that I am?" That was the question that led the disciples to think about themselves and their thoughts of Jesus. "Whom do you say I am?" Peter was a man who sometimes was quick to speak and slow to think, but this time he got it right. "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." You are Messiah, the promised One. You're more than just a good man. You're more than a prophet. You're more than a preacher of righteousness. You're more than a good example for us. You are the Son of God, the Promised Redeemer!
This morning, if that question was posed to us, what would be our answer? If we are in agreement with Peter (and I know we are), what is the basis for being in agreement with Him? Is it just because we have been taught that from our youth on up? Is it just because we read it in a book? Or do we have it written in our hearts that this Jesus is the One Who has saved me from my sin? He is the One Who comes to me in my darkest hours to speak words of comfort to me. He is the One when I need correcting Who comes to me to show me the proper way to walk with Him. He is my Shepherd Who guides me, feeds my soul, refreshes me, never leaves me, and has a place prepared for me. But most of all, He is the One Who took my place on the cross. He shed His blood to pay for my sins. Though I could never repay what He has done, I owe Him my everything. He loves me unconditionally. I love Jesus.
The people had never encountered a man such as Jesus. They truly did not know what to make of Him. There was much speculation concerning Him. Some thought He was one of the prophets of old who had been brought back from the dead. Some thought He was John the Baptist revived. As they were traveling along, Jesus talked to His disciples concerning this. "Whom do men say I am?" Of course, we know that Jesus already knew the answer, but it seems His intention was to get to the heart of what His disciples were thinking.
In God's Word, there are often questions asked by God. For instance, "Adam where art thou?" He asked Jacob when wrestling with him, "What is your name?" When Elijah was discouraged and hid himself in a cave, the Lord asked "What doest thou here?" It seems the purpose for God asking a question is not to enlighten Himself; rather, He asks questions of us to make us stop and think. Adam was hiding because he had transgressed God's one command. Jacob needed to stop and think about his life and what he had done to bring himself to that place. Elijah had confronted the prophets of Baal, yet he ran for fear of his life when Jezebel threatened him. God's questions to us are to make us stop and think about what we are doing and where our actions have taken us.
"Whom do men say that I am?" That was the question that led the disciples to think about themselves and their thoughts of Jesus. "Whom do you say I am?" Peter was a man who sometimes was quick to speak and slow to think, but this time he got it right. "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." You are Messiah, the promised One. You're more than just a good man. You're more than a prophet. You're more than a preacher of righteousness. You're more than a good example for us. You are the Son of God, the Promised Redeemer!
This morning, if that question was posed to us, what would be our answer? If we are in agreement with Peter (and I know we are), what is the basis for being in agreement with Him? Is it just because we have been taught that from our youth on up? Is it just because we read it in a book? Or do we have it written in our hearts that this Jesus is the One Who has saved me from my sin? He is the One Who comes to me in my darkest hours to speak words of comfort to me. He is the One when I need correcting Who comes to me to show me the proper way to walk with Him. He is my Shepherd Who guides me, feeds my soul, refreshes me, never leaves me, and has a place prepared for me. But most of all, He is the One Who took my place on the cross. He shed His blood to pay for my sins. Though I could never repay what He has done, I owe Him my everything. He loves me unconditionally. I love Jesus.