Who Is This Man?

Have you ever visited a museum, botanical garden, or another venue where there was more to see than you had time for, but you went ahead and walked through anyway?

You knew you couldn’t stop and look at everything, but you wanted to at least get a glimpse of some of the highlights.

That’s what we are going to do tonight as we walk through the Gospel of Mark.

We can’t stop and look at everything…in fact, most things we are going to pass right by.

But we are going to admire the highlights surrounding a particular question that is asked frequently throughout this short book:

Who Is Jesus of Nazareth?

Many people today are asking this very question.

We will first look at a few modern-day quotes from website publications.

NOTE: if you would like any of these links, please contact me or the church and I will gladly email them to you.

Please text to request internet links: 262-864-1746

from a 2018 opinion piece on aljazeera.com:

“Here it is crucial to remember the manner in which in both Persian poetry and Islamic mysticism, the figure of Christ expands into the far more pervasive icon of divine mercy.”

“Remember Christ was a Palestinian refugee – a Jewish Palestinian refugee, who is the founding figure of Christianity, and a beloved prophet for Muslims.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2018/12/25/remember-christ-was-a-palestinian-refugee

this next quote is from a self-proclaimed “secular Jesus-follower”, who was being interviewed by thehumanist.com

“While I’m thrilled if people can draw wisdom and uplift from any historical figure, for me, Jesus is the best source for insight on our ethics and lives. As we all know, stories are incredibly powerful means by which human beings absorb ideas. In the Jesus portrayed in the New Testament, you not only get philosophy and wisdom but you get these stories that are fascinating, revealing, and rich with multiple layers.”

“I don’t pay attention to Jesus because he’s divine but because I find the teachings attributed to him to be of a very high and enduring quality.”

“I take it [Jesus’ resurrection] as a powerful statement that the values embodied by Jesus will carry on—will live on—despite his death....I see the resurrection as powerful symbol of transformation and uplift, a summons to work for a more compassionate and humane world.” (Tom Krattenmaker, secular Jesus-follower, as quoted in humanist.com) https://thehumanist.com/arts_entertainment/books/secular-jesus-follower-confesses/

From a 2018 survey done by the Pew Research Center:

“When Americans Say They Believe in God, What Do They Mean? Nine-in-ten Americans believe in a higher power, but only a slim majority believe in God as described in the Bible”

https://www.pewforum.org/2018/04/25/when-americans-say-they-believe-in-god-what-do-they-mean/

this last quote is from prnewswire.com:

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- “A new survey reveals that 52 percent of American adults believe that Jesus was a great teacher and nothing more. If Jesus' claim to be God is false, then He was either delusional or deceptive, but He could not have been a great teacher.” https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-majority-of-americans-think-jesus-is-a-great-teacher-yet-reject-his-claims-to-be-god-301119281.html

Please text to request internet links: 262-864-1746

Who Is Jesus of Nazareth?

Even from His miraculous conception and birth, Jesus’ identity was shrouded in mystery

From Bethlehem to the temple at Jerusalem where He astonished the scribes to His curious parables and miraculous healings, Jesus of Nazareth was an enigma…both a bewilderment and a blessing

Tonight, we will tour the gallery of Jesus painted by John Mark, the writer of the second gospel account in the New Testament

Over and over again, people will ask, “Who is this man?”

And at the conclusion, we will hear the answer finally given by probably one of the most unlikely persons

The Crowds: “Who Teaches with Authority and Commands the Spirits?”

A. Authority to Teach (Mk. 1:21-22)

Mark 1:21-22

Mark 1:21–22 NKJV

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Whenever the scribes (the teachers of the Law) would stand up to teach, they would interpret and make applications from the text based on “rabbi so-and-so says such-and-such”…appealing past, well-known leaders and teachers to establish the authority of their teaching.

But Jesus did not teach like that. Jesus interpreted and applied the text from a position of his own authority, without appealing to any human agent.

Jesus’ direct, forceful teaching was so foreign that they were “astonished”.

“astonished” = ekplesso - from plesso, meaning to strike; to cause to be filled with amazement to the point of being overwhelmed

A. Authority to Teach (Mk.1:21-22)

B. Authority over Demons (Mk. 1:23-28)

Mark 1:23-28

Mark 1:23–28 NKJV

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

One reason for Jesus coming to earth was to defeat Satan:

1 John 3:8

1 John 3:8 NKJV

8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus once again demonstrates His unique authority by commanding the demon without invoking any other name, incantation, or spell. One simple command accomplished the feat.

The Pharisees: “Who Forgives Sin?”

A. Authority to Forgive Sin (Mk. 2:1-9)

Mark 2:1-9

Mark 2:1–9 NKJV

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?

Jesus’ claim to forgive the man’s sin was extraordinary, and is a huge part of His identity!

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 1. Healing a Paralytic (2:1–12)

For anyone but God to claim to forgive sin was blasphemy. Since for the teachers of the law Jesus was not God, therefore he blasphemed. If they were right about who Jesus was, their reasoning was flawless. In Jewish teaching even the Messiah could not forgive sins. That was the prerogative of God alone. Their fatal error was in not recognizing who Jesus really was—the Son of God who has authority to forgive sins.

A. Authority to Forgive Sin (Mk. 2:1-9)

B. Authority Over Paralysis (Mk. 2:10-12)

Mark 2:10-12

Mark 2:10–12 NKJV

10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

This healing was done for at least two reasons:

1. To heal the paralytic, restoring and transforming the man’s life.

2. To provide the credentials of Jesus’ deity: the scribes were right: only God can truly forgive sins.

The Disciples: “Who the Wind and Waves Obey?”

Authority Over Nature (Mk. 4:35-41)

Mark 4:35–41 NKJV

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

The creator of a thing has all the rights and copyrights pertaining to it, as well as the final authority over it.

Col. 1:16-17

Colossians 1:16–17 NKJV

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

The entire universe is held together by the power and authority of Jesus Christ

“all things consist”: Jesus brought the universe into existence, and He continues to hold it in existence

The verb “consist” is in the perfect tense in Greek

Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (perfect)

The verb tense used by the writer to describe a completed verbal action that occurred in the past but which produced a state of being or a result that exists in the present

Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (perfect)

The emphasis of the perfect is not the past action so much as it is as such but the present “state of affairs” resulting from the past action.

Jesus’ display of authority over the storm is yet another indication of His identity

King Herod: “John the Baptist Raised?”

Authority Over Kings (Mk. 6:14,16)

Mark 6:14,16

Mark 6:14 NKJV

14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

Mark 6:16 NKJV

16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”

While there is not an apparent authority component in this account, Jesus as not intimidated by any earthly king.

Luke 13:31-32

Luke 13:31–32 NKJV

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” 32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’

Jesus would later stand before Herod at one of several mock trials.

Luke 23:8-9

Luke 23:8–9 NKJV

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.

Jesus’ defiant refusal to answer any of Herod’s questions or to perform for him shows that Jesus was the one in charge throughout the whole trial process,

This authority was still evident during His horrible beating and even the crucifixion.

No earthly king could have or will ever have authority over Jesus Christ! He is the King of Kings!

The Crowds: “John the Baptist, Elijah, or Another Prophet?”

Authority Over the Jews (Mk. 6:15; 8:27-28)

Mark 6:15; 8:27-28

Mark 6:15 NKJV

15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

Mark 8:27-28

Mark 8:27–28 NKJV

27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

The ancient prophets were the very voice of God in the Old Testament times.

Jesus’ authoritative teaching and His undeniable miracles attested to His prophet-like status in the eyes of His fellow Jews.

Unfortunately, this is where His identity stopped for the vast majority of them. They refused to see Jesus for who He truly was.

Peter: “The Messiah!”

Authority Over Peter and the Disciples (Mk. 8:29)

Mark 8:29

Mark 8:29 NKJV

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Peter’s bold statement came as a testimony on behalf of the other disciples. (all but one of course - Judas never believed)

The word Christ (Christos) translates the Hebrew “Messiah”, which means the “Anointed One” of God. (i.e. the priests and kings of Israel that were anointed with holy oil)

This word (Christ) carries with it the idea of one chosen by God, consecrated and endued with God’s power to accomplish His assigned task.

Although this title was developed during the OT period, it tended to be political and national in nature by the early first century AD, when Jesus walked on earth.

It is likely for this reason that Jesus was reluctant to speak of Himself as the Messiah, but this does not mean that He did not believe Himself to be the Messiah

Peter’s answer to the question of Jesus’ identity was a pledge of allegiance to Jesus, Peter’s Messiah.

Religious Leaders: “The Messiah, Son of the Blessed One?”

Authority Questioned (Mk. 14:61)

Mark 14:60-61

Mark 14:60–61 NKJV

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

Jesus: “I AM.”

Final Authority (Mk. 14:62)

Mark 14:62

Mark 14:62 NKJV

62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Here, Jesus is looking forward to the future foretold by the prophets:

Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 NKJV

13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

In the present, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin were standing in judgement over Jesus, but in the future, Jesus would return to judge them

Revelation 1:7

Revelation 1:7 NKJV

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

The Roman Centurion: “Truly This Man Was the Son of God!”

Authority Over All (Mk. 15:39)

Mark 15:37-39

Mark 15:37–39 NKJV

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

As we conclude, the question becomes ours to ask and answer:

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Is He a commander of demons and waves?

Is He a forgiver of sins?

Is He another JtB?…or Elijah?…or just a prophet?

OR…is He the Jews’ Messiah?

…the I AM?...

Is He truly the Son of God?

He is all of these and so much more!

Who do you say that Jesus is?

text: 262-864-1746

If Jesus walked into this room and asked us the same question He asked the disciples: “Who do YOU say that I am?”…what would you stand up and testify?

In fact, let’s hear from you right now.

In a word or phrase, or short sentence, expression, etc., who is Jesus to you? How do you testify?