Who Is Jesus?

Mark 8:27–30 ESV

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction & Love for stories.

Life’s big task: finding out how my story fits into the BIG story of the world around me.

I believe that God’s word invites us to learn God’s Story and that helps us make sense of our stories.

The door and the key.

Tonight, we’re going to talk about a time when Jesus sat down with his closest friends and followers and asked them two very important questions about God’s story and their story.

QUESTION ONE: WHO DO THEY SAY THAT I AM?

Mark 8:27–28 “27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.””

The people observing Jesus were struggling to fit him into God’s story.

He does miracles, he teaches about God. But he also has a lot of STRANGE things to say about himself. (Over and over in the New Testament we see people struggle with understanding Jesus’ identity.)

QUESTION TWO: WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

Too many people, even in ‘Christian’ contexts are relying on what they have heard others say about Jesus. “He was a teacher, he was a prophet, he was misunderstood…”

Jesus makes the question personal: Who do you say that I am?

Mark 8:29 “29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.””

This is the MOST IMPORTANT question to understanding God’s story and your story. Jesus is the key to the door.

I want to point out three reasons Peter is on the right track in his answer:

The Disciples Remember God’s Promises

What does “Christ” mean?

Luke 4:16–22 ESV

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

The Disciples Embrace Jesus’ Power

Mark 4:35–41 ESV

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

The Disciples Hear God Speak

Matthew 16:17 ESV

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

HOW TO GET THE QUESTION RIGHT

What if I told you that you and I have even more reason to get the question right? You see, the disciples are on the right path in Mark 8, but they still have a long way to go.

What you and I have added to searching God’s promises, seeing God’s power, and hearing God’s voice is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

We call this the “good news” because it is confirmation that Jesus is who he said he was and is doing what he promised to do.

As we continue into this retreat, I want to start with this challenge: don’t close your eyes to sleep tonight without asking God to help you answer the question: “Who do you say that I am?”