Third Presbyterian Sunday Morning Bible Study - August 15, 2021

Below is the Bible Study written by Jim Rudiger for his Sunday School Class which meets at Third Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia. It's based on Mark 8:27-37.

Supposed you had to describe somebody, say like Garland, what would you say? We might think about some facts that we know about Garland, things we have heard about him and the personal experiences that we had with him. Let's list everything we can think of. Let’s see. (1) Member of the church, (2) elder,(3) married to Peggy,(4) has children, (5) went to Granby High School, (6) One of the guys who keeps the boilers at the church running. All of these things describe an aspect of Garland based on our personal knowledge. If we asked the postman, we wouldn’t get such a big list. If we asked Peggy, the list might stretch down the street to Elk Ave., and some might be more than we need to know. But even if we got everybody’s ideas including Peggy’s, it wouldn’t be complete because there would still be things that only Garland knows and he ain’t talking. But, from this list, we would have a pretty good idea of who Garland is.

In today’s lesson, Jesus has a little Q and A with his disciples about who people say he is. In a way, his questions were a bit confrontational, too. We are going to study these questions as Mark described them. Let’s see how well the disciples did in answering Jesus’ questions.

Among the four gospels, Mark was probably written first. It’s a short book that seems to be speeding along wanting to get to the end as fast as possible. Mark was written to get the facts out about Jesus without a lot of commentary. It’s like Mark is the minute for missions and the rest of the gospels are the sermon. If Mark is the first gospel that was written, why is it second in our New Testament? Who knows. Seventeen hundred years ago, a church council chose which books would be included in the New Testament and where the books would appear. The historical context wasn’t all that important to the council. In studying this book, keep in mind that Mark had two goals for this book: (1) Prove that Jesus was the Messiah and (2) Jesus was the Son of God.

Mark 8: 27 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 answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

This event takes place shortly after feeding of the five thousand. Some Pharisees showed up and challenged Jesus to do some more miracles. They wanted to watch Jesus closely and make sure that he didn’t do a little slight hand to trick the people into thinking that it was a miracle. Jesus recognized that the Pharisees were there to make him look like a con man in front of all the people still on the mountain side, so Jesus called them a wicked generation and refused to do any miracles for them. Jesus and his disciples went down the mountain, got in a boat and headed north. After sailing across the Sea of Galilee, where did they head for? Caesarea Philippi, about 50 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.

What do we know about Caesarea Philippi? It was an ancient city that was steeped in religion. Most of the people living there were non-Jews. Everywhere there were temples to Baal left over from when the Syrians ruled the area. The city itself was at the base of a great hill which contained a deep cavern. It was believed that this cavern was the birth place of the Pan, the Greek god of nature. In fact the city was so associated with Pan that it’s original name was Panias and even today the city is known as Banias. So there were not only the Syrian gods worshiped there, but, Greek gods too.

The cavern was filled with water and people believed that it was bottomless. These waters were described as the springs that were the source of the Jordan River. Of course the Jordan River is important in the history of the Israelites. So, now we add to the pagan religions, this association with Judaism and Jewish history through the Jordan River.

But the city had one more attraction. There was a great temple built of white marble for the worship of Caesar. Herod the Great had built the temple and dedicated it to Augustus Caesar and as a reward, Caesar made Herod the king of Judea. Later Herod’s son Philip improved on his father’s original temple and renamed the city from Panias to Caesarea which literally means Caesar’s town. Since there already was a Caesarea over on the Mediterranean coast, Philip added his name to the town - Philippi.

It is remarkable that at a place like this, such an important issue about who Jesus is should be raised here. Jesus knows that his ministry ministry is drawing to an end. He knows this and he still hasn’t prepared his disciples for what is going to happen to him. This was a peak moment in Jesus life, maybe even a crisis moment. For, regardless of what the people thought of him or even what his own followers thought, he was facing the cross. The opposition, the hatred of his message, these things couldn't go on much longer. Here was Jesus' problem. Had any one discovered who he really was? What if he had gone through all of this and the people thought of him as just a healer, a wise man or a teacher but had not recognize the presence of the living God in what he said or did?

He stands there in the shadows of the great white temple dedicated to the most powerful man in the world. Everybody in the town knew Pan, Caesar and Baal. So Jesus takes a chance and puts the people to a test. What does he ask his followers? Who do people say that I am? Is Jesus insecure? Is he shaken because the religious rulers and even the Jews weren’t accepting him? Why ask that question right now?

This is a very human request. Do you remember when you were in high school and you wanted to meet a guy or girl but you didn't dare just come up to him or her and ask for a date? How embarrassing if they didn't even know you were alive. Been there - done that! What did you do? You went to a mutual friend and had that friend find out what the guy or girl thought about you - who they thought you were. Based on the friend’s information you either punted or took the ball and ran with it. Jesus is in the same boat. He wants to know what perceptions the people have about Him. And - who did the people think he was? (1) John the Baptizer, (2) Elijah, (3) one of the prophets. Let’s look at these three answers.

John the Baptizer. John by this time had been killed by Herod, but, the impact of his ministry on Jerusalam was still felt. He had been an imposing figure, even a frightening figure, who had roamed the wilderness calling the people to repent. John was the guy who would get the people ready for the Messiah who would come after him. That man who the Jews had hoped would come and whack the Romans. But, the people knew that John was dead, so, it’s a stretch to identify Jesus as John. But, look at how many people still claim that Elvis is alive and well.

Elijah. Elijah was an important prophet during the reign of some bad Jewish kings who seemed to have had the same tailor as John. They both wore hairy clothes and lived in the wild. What was the unique thing about Elijah’s death? He was taken by a chariot up to heaven. A lot of people felt that the Messiah’s arrival on the scene would happen after Elijah’s return.

One of the prophets. If somebody had to say something, but really didn’t know Jesus that well, this was the “catch all” identification.

The problem with all of these responses is that although they connected Jesus with some pretty important people, they still had not identified Jesus as the Son of Man - the long awaited for Messiah. Remember, recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah is first on Mark's agenda.

After tying down that the people in general were confused about who he really was, Jesus asked his followers what? "Who do you say I am?" Seems like a simple question doesn’t it? It’s the most important question that his followers had ever been asked. It is a question that used words that were chosen and each word had a meaning. Lets see if we can discover the meanings.

What kind of word is “who”? It’s a word that refers to a person, so it is a person word. In the context of the question, who is the person referenced? Jesus and it connects them personally to Jesus. It carries a lot of weight because it implies an intimate knowledge of Jesus. Next is the word “do”. This is a present tense word. Jesus isn’t asking them what they might have thought of him in the past or what they might think of him in the future. He is dealing with the here and now. Right then. That very moment. It isn’t something that can be put off. The next word is what? “You.” “You” is a pronoun that can be either singular or plural. Jesus is facing his followers and asking them as a group and as an individual to tell him not what their friends might say; not what their families might say; not what CNN might say. Jesus is telling them to look down deep in their heart and confess what is written there.

What’s the next word? “Say.” Jesus might be telling them, "Now that you have acknowledged in your heart who I am, you might feel compelled to yell it in the streets."

Almost impulsively, Peter jumps up and how does he answer for the group? "Why, you are the Messiah." I believe that this confession by Peter was as much a shock to him as it was to the others. It was one of those times when the light bulb in your head is turned on and a startling fact becomes evident. I imagine Peter was excited about recognizing and proclaiming this fact about Jesus.

The final two words are what? “I am.” Again, these are present tense words. Jesus isn’t interested in what the history books might write about him. What is important is that they at that particular moment, in real time, realize that they are encountering the living Messiah. It’s also interesting to remember that when asked for God’s name, He replied, “I am.”

Does he tell them to yell who Jesus is? What does Jesus tell them to do? "Don't tell anybody about me." Why are they told not to tell anybody? They weren't ready for the truth and neither were the people in the streets. Jesus had to teach them what it meant to be the Messiah. To do that, it is necessary for us to understand what the word Messiah meant to a Jew in Jesus' time. The Jewish people had known from the earliest days that they enjoyed a special relationship with God. They and they alone were God's chosen people. This had worked out well for them when God led them out of Egypt, raised up warriors to subdue the Canaanites, raised up David to lead the nation in unequaled prosperity and power. Those were the good old days and if only a descendant of David would re-appear, then the past glories would return.

Time went on and the nation was hit with one set back after another. Ten tribes were carried off to Assyria to be lost and never heard from again. The Babylonians came along and carried the rest off into exile. Next came the Persians bossing them around and telling them what they could or couldn't do. The Greeks came next to be followed by the Romans. What a downer. Centuries of being the door mat for every emerging nation. There had to be some hope for the nation even if present conditions didn't offer any.

As time went on, the Jews began to view this king in the line of David as being more than just a man. A man using what was available in Judah would be incapable of beating Rome. But a man who was sent by God with supernatural powers able to do the impossible things that a mortal man couldn’t do. So, instead of the Messiah being God’s servant who will bring the whole world into a right relationship with God, the Messiah became a soldier who would defeat all of Israel’s enemies starting with Rome.

With this in mind, why would Jesus tell Peter and his followers not to tell anybody about his being the Messiah? Theologians call this “The Messianic Secret.” Obviously, the people didn’t understand what “Messiah” really meant. If the Jews accepted the truth of Peter’s confession without understanding God’s mission for the Messiah, then they would start a revolution and expect Jesus to be right up front leading them on a white horse. You see, the time wasn’t right to tell the people because the people were in the dark about the mission of the Messiah. When the time was right, the people will be told.

Mark 8: 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

Now keep in mind the Jewish view of the Messiah and Peter's recognition of Jesus being the Messiah. How does Jesus describe the real life of the Messiah? He will suffer and be rejected. And, in the end he will die. What will happen in three days? He will arise again. Why three days? Jews believed that the soul of a person hung around for three days after death. During the three days, the guy might start breathing and the soul will be there to resume the guy’s life. After three days, the soul leaves for good and the guy is officially pronounced dead. By saying that after three days he will rise, Jesus is establishing that he will be officially dead. So, when he rises, people can’t say that he was really dead, because the soul was still hanging around.

All of this suffering and death is not exactly the way the Jews thought about a great Messiah, right? Peter knows what the tradition is concerning the Messiah. This wasn't the way he had heard the Messiah would be treated. Why, a Messiah who would be put to death was unthinkable. Jesus must be confused. So Peter takes Jesus’ hand and led him away from the rest and what did he do? He rebukes Jesus. Peter fussed with Jesus! "Don't say things like that. You are the Messiah and it is your job to overthrow the Romans. What are you thinking of, man?" To Peter this whole scenario is just too much to swallow. Things had been going great. The feeding of the five thousands was a big success. Every where they went people came out to hear Jesus. Why, it looks to Peter like they’ve turned the corner and their side was winning.

Doesn’t it seem like Peter is really defending Jesus or at least Jesus’ reputation? After all, he hadn’t hesitated in identifying Jesus as the Messiah. I mean, he must have picked up a lot of points with Jesus with that confession. How did Jesus take Peter’s constructive criticism? He lowered the boom on Peter. Why did Jesus come down so hard on Peter? Peter is being put in the company of Satan. Jesus knew what lies ahead and like any human, he would prefer not to have to go through such a horrible death. He could call up armies of angels to wipe out all the evil in the world if he just snapped his finger. Ever since he started his ministry, Satan had continued to remind him that it wasn't necessary to go through all of that pain. Jesus isn’t really identifying Peter as being Satan. What he is saying is that he recognizes that old Satan is whispering these words in Peter’s ear as another attempt to prevent Jesus from doing what God wants him to do. It is the same old Satan who tried to get Jesus to jump off the roof of the Temple. Jesus tells him to get behind Him. That’s another way of saying, “An attitude like that is going to get in the way with what I have to do.”

Have you ever made a decision which carried with it a great risk - say quitting your job and starting over? You have played out in your mind all of the possible things that could go wrong and weighed them against the feeling that this is the right thing to do. And then a friend who really has your best interest in mind and wants to protect you from failure, argues that the timing is not right or that the risk is too high. All of this advice is given with the best of intentions, but your response may well be anger because you have come to grips with these same questions and have decided to go for it. You are seeking support and get opposition. And so was Jesus.

Mark 8: 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 

Who is Jesus talking to now? Jesus now turns to the rest of his followers who were probably in shock after witnessing what happened to Peter and challenges them. Does Jesus paint a rosy picture of life as a disciple? What will they be called on to do? Deny themselves. Take up their cross. Follow Him. When we read these verses we are struck with the honest way Jesus presents what they will be getting into. Jesus also told those who would follow him, that they must deny themselves. You have to say no to yourself. No to the luxury, ease and comfort and yes to the commands of the Christ. By telling them that they must take up their cross and follow him is to say that they will be regarded as common criminals and there is a real prospect of death. Jesus didn't come to make life easier, but to elevate their life to a calling mandated by God Himself.

Does Jesus ever call on a follower to do something that He wouldn't do? This is an important characteristic of leaders who have a devoted following. If you want to lead, you have be at the front of the parade. Jesus didn't sit in the grandstands and direct his followers to take actions which might lead to their death. Jesus was always on the cutting edge. He will lead by showing them how to die.

Mark 8: 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

Are there any things which are lost by keeping them or saved by using them? How about those math classes you took in high school that were never used again. How about that talent you had for drawing but as the years went by the sketch pad was pushed further back in the drawer. Use it or loose it. Life is about investing what we have not hoarding it. Scripture is full of warnings about stock piling things on this earth. Jesus says you have to say no to those things that hold you back and yes to how God would have you spend those talents.

Q and A time. Questions come and go. Some are important and some are plain annoying. But, there is an important question. The one Jesus asked his disciples is the same one we share with every Christian for the last two thousand years and it hasn’t changed in all of that time. Even today, Jesus is asking us, “You - right there in Third Presbyterian Church - who do you say that I am?” May we have the courage of Peter to stand up straight in our world today and shout, “You are the Messiah.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the patience you showed Peter and continue to show us. Give us the direction to grow in our understanding of our belief in you as our personal Savior. Amen.