Mark 8:27-30-- Who Am I To You?

Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

This is the second time Mark emphasizes people’s various opinions about Jesus (Mark 6:14-15)—this time Jesus is taking a survey from his disciples.  As was said in the previous chapter, some thought that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead—partly because his message was so similar, but also because of the injustice of his death.  The idea presented in Mark is that some might consider that God would raise someone from the dead if their death was unjust.  Others say that he is Elijah, because it was prophesied that Elijah would come before the final day of God (Malachi 4:5-6).  Others say that he is a prophet of old, like Elijah, who did miracles, but not the same as Elijah.  

Then Jesus persisted in asking the disciples about their own opinion.  The disciples didn’t want to give a wrong answer, but Peter didn’t care.  He ventured an answer—that Jesus was the “Christ”.  The title “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew “Messiah” which means, “anointed one” usually a title reserved for a king or priest.  In this case, Peter says that Jesus is “the” Christ, or the ruler of God’s coming kingdom, the son of David.  Jesus does not confirm or deny Peter’s statement here in Mark, but in Matthew in the same story, Jesus confirms what Peter says (Matthew 16:16-17).   Jesus warns them to tell no one this, even as he told the demons to be quiet about his identity as son of God or told people not to tell others about his healings.  He does not want his true identity to be known until God revels it himself.  Also, Jesus does not want the revelation of him as the king and representative of God to be confused with incomplete notions of who he really is.

In any relationship, it is most important to know who we are.  Not who we are objectively, necessarily.  A woman can be a boss when she's at work, and objectively she has authority to tell people what to do.  But at home, she could be mommy or honey or master (to the dog) or neighbor.  No one is just one thing, who we are is partly made of the relationship we have with those who we are interacting with.

Even so with Jesus.  The response of the crowd indicates that Jesus is seen as important, but also at a distance.  If Elijah or John the Baptist came back that would be amazing, but does it really mean that much to me?  And can I expect to have a relationship with a celebrity?  

But if Jesus is my King, that means something.  It means that it's a choice I'm making that others may not make.  It means that I can't keep Jesus at a distance, but he will be significant for my life.  And it means that the relationship between Jesus and myself is defined-- He is my ruler, my Lord and I am to do as he says.  If that's the relationship between he and I, then everything in my life changes.