Mark 8 27-35 notes 2006
Jesus' Fundamental Questions.
Let me state this, Jesus puts only one of His thoughts in the form of a question. The other two are statements, which may be readily put in the form of questions; which I shall do.
1. The first question is-What do you think of Jesus?
1. This does not mean this-Is your attitude favorable, or unfavorable; friendly, or antagonistic? But this-What are your ideas, your faith, concerning the person and work of Jesus?
2. If you have any ideas about Jesus, any faith in Him, how did you come by these ideas? this faith?
a.) From public opinion? That was the case with many in Israel. V. 7-9.
b) Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist, Mark 6, 14. Some others thought the same, Luke 9, 7.
c) Others believed Jesus was Elijah reincarnated. A misunderstanding of Malachi 4, 3; fulfilled in John the Baptist, Matthew 11, 14.
d) There are millions today who have not a very much better understanding of Jesus, and His mission.
e) What do you believe? This is a matter of vital importance. Jesus is concerned about it. We ought to be
3. Are we able to answer Jesus briefly, confidently -Thou art the Christ of God.
a.) Jesus would like to have every one truly to know this, to believe it. But for His disciples it is vital. So His question: "But who say that I am?" is always foremost.
b.) Can you answer in the words of the Second Article, and its explanation?
c.) Do you accept Christ, follow Him, just on general principles; or can you say -"I know whom I believe in?"
Peter's answer to Jesus' question was his own personal conviction, gained by study and observation.
4. It is true, after Peter had answered Jesus' question, He said to them, V. 21, 22.
The reason for this Jesus tells them -His work was not yet completed. His Passion was yet in the future. Without this, the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost, even the Apostles were not ready for Matthew 26, 16 ff.
5. Brethren, there are today, there always have been, there always will be, many fake religions in the world. And many people seem much more willing to believe any kind of humbug than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Be careful, if you value your souls, be careful. The only way to salvation is through Christ Jesus; the Son of God, the Son of man, the Redeemer, the Savior, of the world.
a.) This is the foundation, the irreducible minimum, of saving truth.
b.) Jesus' question- Who am I? is still a hotly debated one. Many, professedly in the Church are not only debating it, but denying all the fundamentals Jesus, and His Apostles, taught.
Brethren, as you value your souls, be on your guard. John 14. 6.
6. Who say ye that I am? Thou art the Christ of God, the only Savior of the world. That is the teaching of God's word, the confession of our Church, our confession.
II. De we believe this fully enough so that we are willing to Deny ourselves for His sake?
1. Jesus says, V. 23.
It is all-important that we have the right confession. But we are expected to prove our faith by our works.
a.) What did denying themselves, and following Jesus, mean to Peter, and the other Apostles? It meant giving up everything; to most of them it meant prison, shame, death.
And it meant the same to ten thousand times ten thousand others.
2. What have we denied ourselves for Jesus' sake?
a.) There is one primary, fundamental thing of this nature all must make as the first step in Christianity. We have to surrender our lives, our wills, our pride of self, our everything, to Christ Jesus.
b.) But in practical life what has it cost us to be followers of Christ? We have never been ostracized, or dispossessed, or persecuted.
c.) Still, there is room for self-denial for Jesus' sake.
How about our appetites? They are God-given; wisely, temperately, satisfied they minister to human good ; do we control them for Jesus' sake ?
How about duty, the things Christ requires of us? Do we regard them as drudgery? Are we inclined to shirk? Or do we face resolutely to the front, and do all we can for Jesus' sake?
How about our burdens, our crosses? Do we forever complain? Or do we bear them bravely, with a smile, for Jesus sake?
Fifth Sunday Alter Trinity 195
3. Think of how Jesus denied Himself for us. Should we not be willing to deny ourselves for His sake? And our own?
4. "Who say ye that I am?" May be, in our hearts, we answer "The Christ of God." Yet it may be that, before some of the world-
III. We are Ashamed of Jesus.
1. The Apostles, St. Paul more than any other, were placed in a trying Situation. Jews themselves, they were placed in the trying situation of proclaiming to a world that hated the Jews, a Jewish Savior, a Savior who had been rejected, and crucified, by his own people. If ever there was a situation were people would have been tempted to hedge, and gloss over, these men might have been so tempted. But Jesus said, V. 26.
2. "Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words."
a.) There are people, not a few, today. who want to be Christians; but who are, often, half way ashamed of it, under certain circumstances.
Science, falsely so-called, in the hands of unbelievers, has been presented in such a way as to create the impression that it is antagonistic to, and subversive of, the old doctrines of the Bible, God, the Christ, and the old plan of salvation. And many of our highschool boys and girls, and college young men and women, have become ashamed of the old Book, the old Christ of the Gospels. Are you one of these?
b.) Many a young man and woman, and many an older man and woman, has found himself, or herself, in company of those who derided the old Bible principles, and lauded the new liberty, the unconventional way of life. And possibly we have been afraid to stand up for the old principles. Has this never been true of you? If so, does it not deserve this condemnation of Jesus -"Ashamed of Me?"
c.) Ashamed of Jesus! The most colossal, the most gracious, the most inviting, the only real hope-giving, life-giving, figure in all history. It is a terrifying thought, "Ashamed of Jesus! that dear friend
On whom my hopes of Heaven depend!
No, when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name."
3. I am going to ask a fourth question, we should carefully consider-
IV. Are we willing to pay the price of misunderstanding, or being ashamed of Jesus7
1. Jesus says, V. 24 a.
a.) This sounds paradoxical. Every one wants to save his life. But the meaning is plain. He who tries to save this present life from self-denial, from persecution, from scorn; who sets his mind and heart on the things of earth, its treasures, Its pleasures, its honor, by denying Christ as the Son of God, as the Savior of the world: and by denying the old Gospel which tells the story of these things. shall lose it.
2. We can do as we please about these things. There is no compulsion. Jesus says "If any man would come after Me." There is room for all. Christ wants all. But He forces no one. One may, at times, save his present physical life by denying Christ.
Some of the early Christians, in their weakness, did. One may at times, avoid certain inconveniences, by ignoring the claims of Jesus, many do; one may come to earthly honor, and amass wealth, and be ashamed of Jesus. Do we want to run the risk it involves? Pay the price it will cost?
3. Again, in other words, but meaning much the same, Jesus says, V. 26.
a.) These are plain, specific, emphatic words. No one can misunderstand them. Do you think it something light to trifle with them!
b.) I am not going to set any limits to God's grace for those who do not know, or are fuzzy in their thinking. But there is only one way to Heaven, the way of the manger, the cross, the empty tomb of the Son of man, the Son of God.
c.) For those who know but deny; for those who regard the truth in Christ as not worthy of any self-denial; those who know, but are ashamed; there is no hope.
d.) Conversely, Luke 12, 8.
4. Some people persist in saying it does not matter what you believe; you will be as well off with one belief as another. Let us see how this works out in the every day life.
a.) The map tells us that from Columbus Lake Erie is north. Suppose, because some ignoramus has told me so, I travel the highway south. Will I ever get to Sandusky? Suppose, in spite of all the doctors say, and experience has proven, I believe arsenic is harmless, and take an overdose of it. Will I live? Suppose I say - fire will not harm me, and put my hand in the flame- Will I be unharmed?
b.) Why, in the sphere of religion, should not truth be truth, as well as in the sphere of nature?
5. Who say ye that I am? Are we willing to deny ourselves? Are we ashamed of Jesus and His Word? Are we willing to risk paying the price of following untruth? These are serious questions. Let us ponder them well, and be sure of giving the right answer.
William Barclay reminds us that "Christ" is not a name, it is a title. It is Greek for "Anointed One," which is "Messiah" in Hebrew. When we say Jesus Christ, we are saying, Jesus the Anointed One or Jesus the Messiah. The Jewish idea of Christ was of a superhuman conquering figure who would come to call all the children of Israel from all over the world, bring them back to their nation, destroy the Gentiles, and restore Israel to perfect peace, power, and prosperity. Imagine the shock and pain of the disciples when Jesus teaches them what it really means that the Messiah has come.
If these words of Jesus aren’t difficult enough he continues with these words, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
For Christians, are lives are not centered on this world but they are centered on the cross of Jesus Christ. Just like the planets of our solar system revolve and rotate around the Sun. And just as the sunlight gives us light and life, Jesus and sacrificial death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins becomes the center of our universe. Yet many Christians do not understand this. Even those that do, do not fully comprehend it. And why, because for the Christian,
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958 Epigram On Cross-Bearing
• There are no crownwearers in Heaven that were not crossbearers here below.
—Spurgeon
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6152 Fearing His Scars
Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him.
Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!”
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3340 The Builder Of Coliseum
Years ago, a Roman empenr said to a Greek architect: “Build me a Coliseum, and when it is done, I will crown you, and I will make your name famous through all the world.” The work was done. The emperor said: “Now, we will crown that architect. We will have a grand celebration.”
The Coliseum was crowded with a great host. The emperor was there and the Greek architect, who was to be crowned for putting up this building. And they brought out some Christians, who were ready to die for the truth and from the doors underneath were let out the hungry lions.
The emperor arose amid the shouting assemblage and said: “The Coliseum is done, and we have Christians at the mouth of these lions, and we have come here to honour the architect who has constructed this wonderful building. The time has come for me to honour him, and we further celebrate his triumph by the slaying of these Christians.” Whereupon, the Greek architect sprang to his feet and shouted: “I also am a Christian.”
And they flung him to the wild beasts, and his body, bleeding and dead, was trumpled into the dust of the amphitheatre.
—Talmage
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3344 Martyrdom Of Polycarp
Polycarp, venerable bishop of Smyrna was a personal friend and pupil of John the Apostle. When he was age 86, he was urged by the Roman proconsul to reproach Christ and be set free.
“Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”
The proconsul said: “I have respect for your age. Simply say, “Away with the Atheists” and be set free.” Polycarp solemnly said, “Away with the Atheists”—pointing to the pagan crowd.
He joyfully went to the stake, thanking God for counting him worthy to be numbered among the martyrs.
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[1]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
[2]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
[3]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
[4]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
[5]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
