Last Sunday I spoke about the questions Jesus asks in the gospels. Theses questions invite us deeper into the heart of who Jesus is, and deeper into his mission.
Further still the questions can challenge us and make us consider our own hearts and responses to his truth.
One such example is found in Mark 8:27-30.
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
Two questions are asked – only one word changes.
“Who do people say I am?”
“Who do you say I am?”
The first question is seemingly an easy one to answer. I can picture the disciples all chiming in with the different things they’ve heard. They’ve been travelling with Jesus for some time now and would know what others think of him.
Then Jesus asks the second question. Silence. Only one answers. Why is it so hard to say out loud? These are men who have left everything to be with Jesus, they have witnessed many things and are as committed as anyone. Maybe saying it out loud ‘makes it official’? Maybe it carries a weight to it and implications that can’t be taken back. Peter steps forward and nails his colours to the mast.
My Turn
So the questions remains but now it’s your turn to answer. It can be easy to rattle off the many things others think of Jesus.
“But what about you?”
“Who do you say that he is?”
Find out more
If you want to discuss this more, you could join a group doing Christianity Explored or perhaps you could explore some answers here