24.152 | YOU ARE THE CHRIST | Mark 8:27-30 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

Text: Mark 8:27-30 (ESV)   27 And 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 told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.   YOU ARE THE CHRIST   They left Bethsaida. Mark says they went to "the villages of Caesarea Philippi. " The Greek root word for "village" is ‘kome’ which refers to where the laborers slept, that is, we may say a "bedroom community." Jesus and the disciples are "on the way"—indirect though it may be—to Jerusalem, both chronologically and theologically. As they grow nearer to the crucifixion, Jesus takes the time to teach them what they need to know.   Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Some people say that Jesus is John the Baptist—who was his cousin of almost the same age or Elijah or Jeremiah (Mat 16:14), or any of the other Old Testament prophets. They don't mean Jesus was literally one of the former prophets. They mean He came in the same style, power, and authority, and with a similar message.   There is no doubt that Jesus’ message and authority is reminiscent of the old prophets. Yet, it did not cross their minds that Jesus might suffer the same fate as the old prophets. Elijah was almost killed by Jezebel. Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy cistern. John the Baptist was beheaded. Even more, the disciples don't yet understand that "a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him" (John 13:16). The disciples know they follow the Christ (Mark 8:29), but they have a vague idea about what a hard road they will face in the next few weeks to follow.   It was Peter who recognized Jesus as the ‘Christ’. "Christ" is from the Greek root word ‘hristos’ and means anointed. In Hebrew, it is "Messiah." Luke's version says, "the Christ of God" (Luke 9:20); Matthew 16:16 says, "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Mark, as he often does, condenses the statement. Peter is given the honor of finally answering the question the Twelve had posed after they witnessed Jesus calming the storm: "Who then is this?" (Mark 4:41). Sadly, before too long, however, Peter will deny even knowing Jesus (Mark 14:66–72).   Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram