Who Is Jesus to You?

Have you ever been asked a question that stopped you in your tracks?

Not a trivia question. Not a “how was your weekend?” question. I’m talking about the kind of question that gets under your skin—that lingers in your thoughts and demands an honest answer.

In Mark 8, Jesus asks one of the most important—and most personal—questions ever spoken:

“Who do you say I am?”

It’s a question that cuts through all the noise. It doesn’t matter what the culture says about Jesus… or even what your church says about Him.At the end of the day, you have to answer.

This moment with Peter is a turning point. Up until now, the disciples have seen Jesus calm storms, feed crowds, heal the sick, and walk on water. They’ve been amazed… but they haven’t truly understood.

Most scholar believe that this is a turning point in Jesus ministry and in the lives of those who follow him.

Peter speaks up. With Bold Confident he says “You are the Messiah.”He gets it—sort of.

But here’s the twist: saying the right thing about Jesus is not the same as understanding what it means to follow Him. And just like Peter, we might find that we’re still learning what that confession really means.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our faith—but it’s only the beginning of following Him.

So today, we’re not just going to study Peter’s answer.We’re going to wrestle with the question ourselves:

Who is Jesus—to you?

Let's look at this encounter in Mark's Gospel:

Mark 8:27-33 - 27 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. 31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

1. The Question Everyone Must Answer

Mark 8:27–29

Notice that the conversation starts with a pretty innocuous question.

Jesus’ question: “Who do people say I am?” (v.27)

Common answers:

John the Baptist,

Elijah,

A prophet—true-ish, but not the whole truth.

A Good Moral Teacher

But then the conversation switches from benign to very personal.

Jesus’ real question: “Who do you say I am?”

Peter’s confession:

You are the Christ

The Promised one from the OT

“You are the Messiah.”

Key Truth: We must see Jesus for who he really is.

This is essential. Disciples of Jesus must see Jesus for who he really is.

Mark seem to provide an example in Mark 8:22-27 with the two stage healing of the blind man. It's the same Jesus, but people see him differently.

QUOTE:

In between, both stories tell of a two-stage process of illumination. The blind man sees people, but they look like trees walking about; the crowds see Jesus, but they think he’s just a prophet.

Then, as it were with a second touch, Jesus faces the disciples themselves with the question. Now at last their eyes are opened. They have understood about the loaves, and all the other signs. ‘You’re the Messiah!’ Peter speaks for them all.

Wright, Tom. Mark for Everyone. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004. Print.

And Jesus is about to challenge how the disciples see Jesus. This will lead greater understanding, but also greater cost.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our faith—but it’s only the beginning of following Him.

This is a question that we must all answer! Who do you say Jesus is?

2. The Messiah We Want vs. the Messiah We Need

Mark 8:30–31

The Disciples Title: You are the Christ (Messiah)!

Jesus strictly warns them not to tell anyone—why? They don’t yet understand what “Messiah” really means.

This is what it meant to the disciples when they called Jesus the Messiah:

QUOTE:

"He had to do three things. He had to rebuild, or cleanse, the Temple. He had to defeat the enemy that was threatening God’s people. And he had to bring God’s justice—that rich, restoring, purging, healing power—to bear both in Israel and out into the world."

Wright, Tom. Mark for Everyone. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004. Print.

You can see why Jesus might have wanted them to keep that quiet. There would be time to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, and truly he was, just not with that agenda.

Instead of confirming or denying, Jesus uses a Different name for himself. One we have already seen in Mark's Gospel. One that identifies him as the Messiah, but not on the throne...on a cross.

The question shifts from “Who is Jesus?” to “What has God sent him to do?” Three times Jesus tries to bring his disciples to a new definition of what being the Messiah means by explaining the necessity of his suffering (8:31–38; 9:30–37; 10:32–45).

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

Jesus provides a new Title: The Son of Man

Jesus redefines the mission with a familiar title.

The Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then rise again.

This is the first time Jesus speaks this plainly about the cross.

This is not what the Disciples had in mind when they said he was the Messiah. They were more interested in the King Messiah, not the suffering Messiah.

Key Insight: The cross is not a detour—it’s the plan.

3. When Good Intentions Miss God’s Plan

Mark 8:32–33

Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes Him—he can’t accept a suffering Savior.

Jesus’ rebuke of Peter: “Get behind me, Satan!”

Peter’s mindset reflects human concerns, not God’s.

We must be careful to not make the same mistake here.

"We must be sensitive to how much we, like Peter, project our aspirations on Jesus

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

The Cross of Christ as a stumbling block.

This episode lays bare how the cross becomes a stumbling block, particularly for those who assume they know what a Messiah is supposed to do

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

The Struggle here is when we project upon Jesus the way we think Jesus should act.

In essence, Peter says...

Jesus, you cant go to the cross because your supposed to go to the throne! Dead men can't rule!

Ours may seem a bit different...

Jesus, It can't be your will for me to suffer, because you are a good God.

It's worse when we selectively spiritualize God's word

Jesus, life should be easy since your blessings are promised.

This one is used too often. Yes, God's promises are for us. But there is also a cross. And anyone can proclaim the blessing gospel, but they also must contend with the stumbling block of the cross.

Even sincere believers can resist God's will when it doesn’t align with their expectations.

The Cross as a Turning Point of our faith

Just as this conversation is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus and in the life of the disciples, so it is a turning point in our faith.

But the cross stands in opposition to our mis intentions. And it become a pivotal point in our faith as well.

Will we follow Jesus when we don't fully understand God's plan?

Will we follow Jesus when his plan is in direct opposition to ours?

Will we follow Jesus when it leads to a cross?

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our faith—but it’s only the beginning of following Him.

CONCLUSION:

At some point, every follower of Jesus must answer the question He asked Peter:

“Who do you say I am?”

It’s not just a question for theology textbooks or Sunday sermons—it’s personal. It's about who Jesus is to you, not just who He is in theory.

Is He a good teacher? A miracle worker? A religious figure from the past? Or is He your Messiah—the One who saves you, leads you, defines you?

Peter’s answer was bold: “You are the Messiah.”

But as the story continues, we realize even Peter didn’t fully understand what that meant. He had the right words—but he had to grow into the reality of those words.

And so do we.

Because recognizing Jesus as the Messiah means surrendering to His mission. It means trusting Him even when He leads us through suffering. It means following Him when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our faith—but it’s only the beginning of following Him.

So I’ll ask you the same question Jesus asked:

Who is Jesus to you—really?

And does your life reflect the answer?The journey of discipleship begins with a confession… but it continues with a cross.

Will you follow Him?

The Simple Gospel:

Have you come to the place in your life where you realized that you needed Jesus to forgive you. You see, no religion tradition can solve the real issue. Oh it may seem like it covers it. That why you need to do it over and over and over again. But Jesus, he will forgive it and offer you freedom.

We must humble ourselves and admit we have an internal problem.

That is the path to salvation.

What does it mean to be saved?

It means we have trusted in Jesus for forgiveness and life.

Maybe today for the first time you might say, Pastor Mike, I am not sure I have ever done that. Then why not today.

Here is how that is possible: (The Gospel)

I must Believe:

I must believe that I am a sinner and therefore guilty before God

I must believe that God loved me so much that he died for my sins

I must believe that if I asked him he will will forgive me.

I must Confess

I have to ask God to forgive me.

Confession is when I ask God to forgive my sins and show me how to live.

I Must Repent

Repentance means that I am willing to turn away from my sin

Repentance means that I am willing to turn to God and allow him to lead my life.

If you have never done that, and you are ready to do it today, I invite you to prayer today to find forgiveness and new life in Jesus.

Let's all bow our heads for a time of prayer!

Lead people in prayer of salvation

RESEARCH QUOTES:

It’s about the politically dangerous and theologically risky claim that Jesus is the true King of Israel, the final heir to the throne of David, the one before whom Herod Antipas and all other would-be Jewish princelings are just shabby little impostors. The disciples weren’t expecting a divine redeemer; they were longing for a king. And they thought they’d found one.

Wright, Tom. Mark for Everyone. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004. Print.

Jesus question, who do people say I am? Is a turning point in the gospel. It brings to the front the tension between the understanding of him and the expectation of the people who were attracted to him.

Ronald J Kernaghan, Mark: The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

His pronunciation of Peter is so strong that we have to wonder what justifies it. The best answer is that he was acting, unwittingly, in the role of Satan. The last time the word Satan appears in this gospel was in the explanation of the parable of the soils, or Satan comes to take the word away(4:15). That is what Peter did here. As soon as Jesus began to speak about his messianic role, Heagle rebuke him, as though to take away the word.

Ronald J Kernmaghan, Mark: The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

The son of Man, then, must suffer and die, so that the whole people of God might be brought to repentance and faith.

Ronald J Kernmaghan, Mark: The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

The question shifts from “Who is Jesus?” to “What has God sent him to do?” Three times Jesus tries to bring his disciples to a new definition of what being the Messiah means by explaining the necessity of his suffering (8:31–38; 9:30–37; 10:32–45).

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

In retrospect, the reader realizes how the shadow of the cross looms over the entire journey and understands that Jesus leads his disciples along a way where all the signs point to Golgotha.

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

His confession occurs in the very center of the Gospel. This passage serves as a hinge between the first half of the Gospel, where Jesus’ power is so prominent, and the second half, where his weakness becomes predominant.

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

He rebukes Peter to remain silent because his understanding of what “Christ” means is wrong and needs correction. Jesus does not want Peter’s faulty opinions proliferating among the crowds, whose ability to grasp Jesus’ identity is even more limited than the disciples

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

Jesus does not explain his mission to his disciples simply to predict future events but to verify for his disciples that what is about to happen fulfills God’s plan. The disciples can understand it only after the fact because this plan runs counter to everything they were conditioned to expect

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

In bridging the contexts we must be sensitive to how much we, like Peter, project our aspirations on Jesus

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

It is not the denial of something to the self but the denial of the self itself

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

The cross as a stumbling block. This episode lays bare how the cross becomes a stumbling block, particularly for those who assume they know what a Messiah is supposed to do

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

Modern scholars tend to make Jesus over into their own image and, in the process, eliminate any eternal claim he might exert on their lives. Some present him as a revolutionary who gathered a band of desperadoes to bring about a social liberation of the oppressed peasants. Others present him as an itinerant, nonviolent teacher spouting pithy maxims; still others as a charismatic healer trying to reform Judaism. These speculations, all dressed in the garb of academic expertise, are no closer to the truth than the best guesses of Jesus’ contemporaries, but the media will often seize on these opinions.

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

The Jesus Mark presents and the church confesses, however, is not simply a Galilean holy man, a nice teacher, a fervent prophet, a peasant leader, a wandering Cynic calling people to live according to common sense and natural law—all options proposed by recent scholars on the historical Jesus. He is the Son of God.

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

"Modern scholars tend to make Jesus over into their own image and, in the process, eliminate any eternal claim he might exert on their lives. Some present him as a revolutionary who gathered a band of desperadoes to bring about a social liberation of the oppressed peasants. Others present him as an itinerant, nonviolent teacher spouting pithy maxims; still others as a charismatic healer trying to reform Judaism. These speculations, all dressed in the garb of academic expertise, are no closer to the truth than the best guesses of Jesus’ contemporaries, but the media will often seize on these opinions."

Garland, David E. Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.