Remember the Name!

Me

A while back I worked at a summer camp that was far from home. In fact it was on the other side of the country. To get there I had to travel through states I had only seen in pictures. When I finally got there the only people I knew were those whom I had traveled with. It can be easy to feel alone in a new and strange environment.

But within a day or two I started to make some friends with the other staff at the camp. Back then I had this habit of not calling my friends by their name. And this bugged Ryan. I would say things like hey buddy can you help me with this? Bro, do you remember where this goes? Dude what time is it?

Apparently for Ryan it was important to be called by his name. Why? Why did this bother him so much? Would it bother you? Names are important. They help us identity ourselves. They give meaning to our lives. Some of us even remember what our names mean and it helps to define us.

Jesus also was concerned by what others called him.

Who is Jesus of Nazareth?

If you were given the opportunity where a reporter came up and asked you who Jesus of Nazareth is, what would you answer? (Ask numerous people who Jesus is)

How do you identify who Jesus is to you?

This is one of the prime focuses of the gospels: Who is Jesus of Nazareth? Especially the book of Mark. In the first half of the book everyone is asking the same question: Who is Jesus?

Jesus is seen performing miracles and making profound statements everywhere he goes and people are incredibly interested. So people want to know..Who is that man?

In fact about half way through the book of Mark, Jesus takes his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, which is away from Israel and into Gentile territory to ask them a simple question.

Mark 8:27–28 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.”

Mark 8:27

Jesus is asking for gossip. Who do people say that I am? What are people saying about me? Who do they think I am? The disciples think back on all the murmurings they heard as they fed the 5,000 and as Jesus healed the man brought down from the roof.

Oh Jesus some say you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah and still others, one of the prophets. It soon becomes quite clear to both Jesus and his disciples that none of the people have any idea of who Jesus is.

So Jesus probes the question a little further.

Mark 8:29 ESV

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

Mark 8:

Peter seemingly answering for the entire group, “you are the Christ” or you are the messiah, the anointed one, the man of promise.

Everyone coming to Jesus for help and guidance has absolutely no idea who Jesus is, except for those who are closest to him.

The same is true today. Only those who are closest to Jesus know who he truly is.

Jesus’ Identity and Our Struggle

This is what matters most in the gospels and could be what matters most in your life.

Jesus’ Identity and The Enemies

During the course of Jesus’ life he made many enemies. Jesus didn’t intend to have enemies, but they aligned themselves to confront Jesus. These enemies weren’t just critics, they also sought to kill Jesus.

The moment Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time, his enemies sought to destroy him. But at the core of their attacks was his identity. Remarkably, Jesus’ identity was also his strongest case.

Even when Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council to be judged, his identity is at stake.

Mark 14:55–62 ESV

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 14:55-63

The last question they ask him before his judgment is cast, Are you the promised one? Are you the Messiah? This time Jesus is not silent, but his words, the truth are the very thing that cause his downfall. If Jesus would have said anything else, he might have left the council chambers in a completely different direction. So why tell the truth?

Because the very thing that condemned him would be his guide in life. Jesus is the Messiah, the son of the blessed.

We too can use this in our life. When our enemies are pouring down on us and there is no way to turn. We can turn to the identity of Christ. Jesus who declared that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus could identify who he was, which gave him strength. He is the Christ.

So when you are cornered, look to Jesus. When you are not good enough, look to Jesus who is your ambassador. He is your deliverer. He is your intercessor. When we can identify who Jesus is, we can have hope that our savior will come and save.

Jesus’ Identity and The Cross

When Jesus was on the cross. There were only a few who believed in him. Most around him were mocking him. You claimed to be the Messiah! Pull yourself down from the cross! They mocked him, others who were at one point or another a believer, might have stopped believing.

Jesus could have succumbed to their words. He could have said maybe they are right! Maybe the cross is not worth it. Maybe the people are right.

Jesus even felt God’s presence leaving him when he cried out,

Mark 15:34 ESV

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Mark 15:

But Jesus did not give up or give in. Because Jesus knew his identity. Jesus was and still is the Christ. His entire life purpose was realized in the cross. If there was no cross, there is no birth in a manger. There are no wisemen traveling countless miles bearing gifts. There are no miracles in the early 1st century AD. There is also no hope. There is no book of acts. No gospel story. No peace at funerals and no reason for Christians to push forward.

All this isn’t possible without the cross. But the cross also isn’t possible without the Christ. If there is no Christ there is no prophecy of redemption. No born again Christians. No creation.

But because the Christ was put upon the Cross there is hope, and belief is restored.

Jesus is the sinless messiah.

Jesus’ Identity and The Resurrection

If Christ on the Cross creates hope and restores hope, then Christ and the Resurrection creates peace. Peace that what happened to Jesus could happen to my loved ones. It could happen to me.

That just as Jesus died and rose again to life. So will those who have died. But if Jesus wasn’t who he claimed to be. There would be no hope, no peace.

Jesus is the death conquer.

Jesus’ Identity and Our Struggle

Does Jesus’ identity matter?

Some say he is their deliverer because he has delivered them from their fears and troubles.

Some say Jesus is the prince of peace, because only when you are close to Jesus can you finally understand what peace in the midst of the storm truly means.

Some say Jesus is their advocate, especially when their was no one to stand by their side.

Some say Jesus is faithful and true. Because when everyone around them was failing them and using lies to break their spirit, they could only turn to Jesus, the truth.

Some say Jesus is Light of the World. Because all they had known was darkness and Jesus provided a light of hope.

Some say Jesus is their redeemer because when every person they cared about could only see their flaws, Jesus saw who they truly was, a child of the king.

And some say Jesus is Immanuel because in a world without hope. In a world crowded with death, destruction, and decay, there is a need for someone greater than ourselves to be right by our side.

So does it matter who Jesus is?

Jesus asks you the same question he asked his disciples.

Who do YOU say I am?