Jesus Acknowledged As Christ

GOLDEN TEXT: “Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” —Matthew 16:16

MARK 8:27-35

THE geographical setting of today’s lesson is Caesarea Philippi, the northernmost point visited by Jesus, about thirty miles north of the Sea of Galilee. The city was in a valley near the base of Mount Hermon. This was considerable distance from Jerusalem, where Jesus knew that his enemies were plotting to kill him. However, realizing that the time in the divine plan for him to die as the world’s Redeemer was near, he was contemplating returning to where his enemies could and would arrest and kill him.

Jesus was interested to learn what the result of his ministry had been, a ministry in which eighty-two others had actively participated for probably, by this time, at least three years. Even with the slow methods of transportation available at that time in such a small country, eighty-three workers—including Jesus himself—all zealously proclaiming the Gospel for three years and all empowered to perform miracles, would of necessity give the country a thorough witness.

Since all this activity pertained to Jesus, he was interested to learn what opinions the public had formed concerning him. “Whom do men say that I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. The report they gave to Jesus was a good one. Some of the public had decided that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod thought this. (Mark 6:14,15) Some believed that Jesus was the promised “Elijah.” (Mal. 4:5) Still others thought that he must be one of the other prophets. These were favorable reports, for they revealed that the people generally had concluded that Jesus was a man sent of God, even though they were not certain just who he might be.

“But whom say ye that I am?” Jesus inquired of his disciples. “Peter answered and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.” Mark does not record Jesus’ direct reply to Peter, but Matthew does—“Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:17) In other words, while the opinions of the general public concerning the identity of Jesus were based on human reasoning, Peter’s conclusion had been inspired by God, and therefore was the truth.

We have in this incident a sort of pattern which can be discerned throughout the entire age since. There have literally been millions who have considered Jesus to be a great man of God. They have believed in and on him as such, and have endeavored to follow his precepts and example. From this standpoint the life and teachings of Jesus have exerted a wholesome influence; to some extent even changing the course of the world.

But the opinions of these millions as to the exact identity of Jesus have differed widely. Many have thought and taught that he was God himself, ignoring and confusing the plain teachings of the Bible that he was the Son of God. These would have us believe that Jesus prayed to himself, and that he only appeared to die, for, after all, how could the great God and Creator of the universe actually die!

Others, going to the opposite extreme, have looked upon Jesus as being merely a brilliant but good man, a wonderful leader and teacher who was blessed by God. His suffering and death, these say, have no meritorious value to us except as an example of loyalty to a righteous cause, an example which all would do well to follow.

Between these two extreme and erroneous viewpoints have been many variations and modifications of one or the other, but all based on human reasoning, each one honoring Jesus as a man of God, and paying tribute to him. But throughout the age, even as in Jesus’ day, there have been a few—although very few—whom God has honored with a true knowledge of Jesus, and of his purpose in coming into the world. These few, like Peter, have recognized that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Yes, Jesus was the Messiah., and also the “Son” of God. Only those whose eyes of understanding have been opened by God, as were Peter’s, have understood this great truth and its implications. These have recognized Jesus as the Logos who was “made flesh” in order that he might give his flesh, his humanity, for the life of the world. (John 1:14; 6:51) These rejoice in his redemptive work thus accomplished, and rejoice that in the resurrection Jesus was highly exalted to the right hand of the throne of God,

QUESTIONS

At what time in the ministry of Jesus did the incident of today’s lesson take place?

What was one of the main differences between the viewpoint of the public with respect to Jesus and the one expressed by Peter?

Have these differences of viewpoint continued throughout the age?

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