Week 47 - Who Do You Say I Am?

Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)

Sitting in the middle of the gospel of Mark is a story referred to by Bible commentators as “The Turning Point.” It took place in Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27-30 ).

For almost three years, Jesus and his 12 disciples travelled around the Galilee-Judea region proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. He taught and did many things such that “if they were written in detail… even the world itself could not contain the books which should be written” (John 21:25 , NASB).

Now in Caesarea Philippi, just about 30 km north of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus felt that the time had come for His disciples to sit for a test. It was going to be an oral test with just one question — “Who do you say I am?”

People have different opinions about Jesus. CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity observed, “You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

Now back to Jesus’ question. Only Peter had given the correct answer when he confessed “You are the Christ.” This confession that Jesus is the Christ is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. From this moment on, Mark’s narrative moves at a somber pace. The secret is out. Jesus is the Christ. He will head for Jerusalem to live out the Passion Week, then to be crucified and three days later, he will rise from the dead.

The secret is out. Jesus is the Christ.

A brother in Christ whom I have known for over 30 years is now at a turning point in his life. Last week, I received news that he had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. I emailed him a note to encourage him to trust the Lord even though his cancer was at an advanced stage. He replied, “In times like this I trust and obey God more and more in my daily walk with Him. I put my total faith in Him for His strength, peace and protection. God is Love, God is Great and God is Merciful. I shall not have anxiety and fear for He is with me.” He knows whom he has believed.

Are you at a turning point in your career, embarking on a new job or a new responsibility? Are you at a turning point in your life, finishing school, getting married, having a new baby or crossing a milestone in age? Are you at a turning point in your Christian ministry, being involved in a new ministry or taking on greater responsibility in an existing ministry?

If you are at a turning point, you may wish to overcome any apprehension by answering Jesus’ question: “Who do you say I am?” As Christians, our answers must surely echo Peter’s reply that He (Jesus) is the Christ, the Son of the living God. With God on our side, we can go forth to live victorious lives giving glory to God, our Heavenly Father.

“Who do you say I am?”

Or Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One.” The fuller version of Peter’s confession is found in Matthew’s gospel: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16 ).