Mark 8:27-31
Key Verse: “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”
(Mark 8:29 CSB)
Have you ever looked yourself up on Google or on social media? It’s a slightly vain exercise, but also can be quite interesting depending on what you find. You never know what people might be saying about you!
As Jesus traveled with His disciples into the villages of Caesarea Philippi, He posed a question to them. “Who do people say that I am?” (v.27), He asked. What are people saying about me? Jesus wasn’t being conceited or having an identity crisis. He knew that the disciples were still trying to wrap their heads around who He truly was. Even after seeing Him calm the storm, they had asked, “Who then is this?” (Mark 4:41).
What was their answer? Apparently, there were a variety of opinions out there about the identity of Jesus. Some believed He was the reincarnation of John the Baptist. Others thought that He was actually the prophet Elijah who had returned. Others didn’t know specifically who Jesus was, but assumed He was one of the prophets.
So Jesus turned the question specifically to them. “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” (v.29). Always the one to speak first, Peter answered Jesus. “You are the Messiah,” he said. You are the Christ, the Anointed One sent from God.
Peter got it right. But it wasn’t a lucky guess. In Matthew’s account, Jesus responded by saying, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father” (Matthew 16:17). The reason why Peter could accurately answer the question from Jesus was not about Peter’s intelligence. It was about revelation. God had made it known to Peter by His Spirit so he could see Jesus clearly.
In our day, many people continue to have a variety of opinions about who Jesus truly is. People often appreciate His teachings about peace and love. They are drawn to His heart of compassion for the marginalized. They commend His self-sacrifice as an example for us to follow. But as true and as important as each of these is, Jesus is so much more.
Who do you say Jesus is? This is the ultimate question. We may wonder about why we are here, what our purpose is in life, or what will happen to us tomorrow or beyond this life. But the question that matters most, the one that has eternal implications, is what we believe about Jesus and how we respond to Him.
Jesus is not just an example to follow. He is not someone whose teachings we can pick or choose from casually or flippantly. Jesus is the Saviour of the world! He is God in the flesh who has come to rescue us from our sins and to give us life. He is our Redeemer and our only salvation. Only in Him can we find true joy, hope and peace.
So the right response to the question is to acknowledge that truth that has already been revealed to us about Jesus in the Scriptures. We are to worship Jesus as God. We are to surrender our lives completely to Him as Lord. We are to follow His every word.
Prayer: Jesus, like Peter, I acknowledge that you are the Messiah. You are God who has come in the flesh to save me from my sin and to give me abundant life forever. Thank you for revealing yourself to me by your Spirit. I surrender my life again to you today. Lead me in all that you have for me to do and all that you want me to become. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
