A Turning Point
If you were asked "Who are you?", what would you say? What are the defining features who make you…you?
Would you talk about where you were born,
or what you do for a job,
or that you’re a student,
or retired?
Would you talk about your hobbies and interests,
or where you were educated?
Would you talk about who you’re connected to;
who your parents are,
your children,
that you’re friends of a particular person,
or connected to someone influential in the city?
Since January we as a community have been in a sermon series called, "The Beginning of the Good News" exploring the Gospel of Mark. But now we come to the turning point to the second part of the series, "The Good News?", as we reach the high point of the entire Gospel before it begins its precipitous decent to the cross.
Jesus’ popularity has been growing, his power has been on display in multiple ways… but with Jesus’ simple question, and his disciple, Peter’s response, Jesus begins laying down his power for the sake of the world.
Would you talk about where you were born,
or what you do for a job,
or that you’re a student,
or retired?
Would you talk about your hobbies and interests,
or where you were educated?
Would you talk about who you’re connected to;
who your parents are,
your children,
that you’re friends of a particular person,
or connected to someone influential in the city?
Since January we as a community have been in a sermon series called, "The Beginning of the Good News" exploring the Gospel of Mark. But now we come to the turning point to the second part of the series, "The Good News?", as we reach the high point of the entire Gospel before it begins its precipitous decent to the cross.
Jesus’ popularity has been growing, his power has been on display in multiple ways… but with Jesus’ simple question, and his disciple, Peter’s response, Jesus begins laying down his power for the sake of the world.
Some Background
In the verses just before this pivot text, Jesus has healed a blind man, and provided food for 4,000 men (the second time he has provided vast amounts of food from a few loaves of bread), and now he heads 40kms north from Bethsaida to the area around Caesarea Philippi. This area was dominated by strong Roman associations, and it may be theologically significant that Jesus’ revelation we are about to read was first recognized in a region devoted to the belief that Caesar was Lord – the political leader - and no one else.
The Word of the Lord from Mark chapter 8…
Jesus is asking his closest friends some profound questions here. The first, “Who do people say I am?” As he asks the disciples this question, they immediately respond: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
He of course is none of these…
Jesus doesn’t respond, but asks a second and more direct question to his friends… “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
As he asks the pointed question to his friends. Peter, one of his closest, responds in the silence and makes a statement that would have sucked the air from the room.
“You are the Messiah.”
The Word of the Lord from Mark chapter 8…
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They 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 Messiah.” (Mark 8.27-29)
Jesus is asking his closest friends some profound questions here. The first, “Who do people say I am?” As he asks the disciples this question, they immediately respond: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
He of course is none of these…
Jesus doesn’t respond, but asks a second and more direct question to his friends… “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
As he asks the pointed question to his friends. Peter, one of his closest, responds in the silence and makes a statement that would have sucked the air from the room.
“You are the Messiah.”
You are the Messiah!
Prophets have come and gone throughout the entire Bible. Often, they are killed for speaking God’s words to the people. But there is only ONE MESSIAH.
‘The Messiah’ in Hebrew and Aramaic, and ‘the Christ’ in the Greek mean, “the anointed one!” This is the one they have been waiting for…the one who will save the people! Peter's proclamation marks a turning point in the Gospel narrative. It's the first time since the opening verse of Mark that Jesus is explicitly identified as the Messiah. But with this recognition comes a sobering reality that Jesus immediately begins to explain.
The passage goes on to say,
This is the first time that Jesus speaks this plainly about His crucifixion, death and resurrection. And Peter, the person who a moment ago rightly stated that Jesus is the Messiah, will essentially say, “NO”, and try to stand in his way.
The sobering and yet liberating news for each one of us in this Lenten season is, as pastor, Donald English says, “Not only must Jesus go this way of death; So too must anyone who would be a disciple of his.”
Do you have the concerns of God in your mind right now, or like Peter, merely human concerns? Are you willing to walk with Jesus toward the cross in your life? Am I?
Jesus wants you to have freedom! This seemingly gloomy news of the cross of Jesus, is the only way to true fulfillment and freedom!
‘The Messiah’ in Hebrew and Aramaic, and ‘the Christ’ in the Greek mean, “the anointed one!” This is the one they have been waiting for…the one who will save the people! Peter's proclamation marks a turning point in the Gospel narrative. It's the first time since the opening verse of Mark that Jesus is explicitly identified as the Messiah. But with this recognition comes a sobering reality that Jesus immediately begins to explain.
The passage goes on to say,
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8.30-33).
This is the first time that Jesus speaks this plainly about His crucifixion, death and resurrection. And Peter, the person who a moment ago rightly stated that Jesus is the Messiah, will essentially say, “NO”, and try to stand in his way.
The sobering and yet liberating news for each one of us in this Lenten season is, as pastor, Donald English says, “Not only must Jesus go this way of death; So too must anyone who would be a disciple of his.”
Do you have the concerns of God in your mind right now, or like Peter, merely human concerns? Are you willing to walk with Jesus toward the cross in your life? Am I?
“Cross bearing as a follower of Jesus means nothing less than giving one's whole life over to following him. And here comes another surprise. This is the way of total freedom. If you clutch your life wholly to yourself, protecting it against all others, asserting all your rights, needs and privileges, you lose it because it isn't life any longer.
If however, you acknowledge that life is not yours by right, that all is privilege, and that it is to be lived in the love that the gospel story reveals, self-giving love, then you possess it wholly. There is now nothing to lose and everything to gain!” (Donald English)
So, Who Are You?
You are a child of God,
lovingly made,
purchased with blood,
and set free to live for God’s glory,
and the world’s good.
May Jesus have his way in and through you this Lenten season.
lovingly made,
purchased with blood,
and set free to live for God’s glory,
and the world’s good.
May Jesus have his way in and through you this Lenten season.
This post was adapted from Jay Ewing's homily from our Ash Wednesday service on March 5, 2025. To learn more about Lent and ways to enter into this season, visit redwoodpark.ca/lent