Read: Mark 8:27-38

In today’s reading, Jesus asks a critical question: “Who do you say that I am?” As Josh McDowell says in his book More Than a Carpenter, “To Jesus, who men and women believed him to be was of fundamental importance.” It is of fundamental importance to us today as well.

And Jesus knew that people were confused (and are confused) about the answer. Many people then (as now) had quit believing that any really good news could happen in their lifetime. So, instead of daring to call Jesus Messiah, they came up with other theories:

He might be a prophet as foretold Deuteronomy: “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deut. 18:18, NAS)

Some thought he might be the great prophet Elijah returned to earth. Elijah had been taken up into heaven in a whirlwind, and was expected to return some day.

Or, they thought Jesus must be John the Baptist returned from the dead. They could believe just about anything except that Jesus was actually the Messiah.

Against that background, Jesus seeks to expand the disciples’ understanding of the levels of his existence. The common misunderstanding of the Messiah as a strictly human military commander didn’t allow for Jesus’ special relationship to God.

At various times, Jesus refers to himself as both “Son of Man” and “Son of God.” His purpose is to show both of his natures, human and divine. He also wants to show the true, or ideal, nature of humanity. His life is an example for us, a goal to strive for. We are made aware of what we are, and are left to ponder what we can become. God loves us as we are, but also sees us with the potential of what we can be.

Who are we? Clearly, we are not Jesus. But there is good news in that information. Jesus is the image of humanity as we were originally intended to be. As the one exception to the otherwise universal choice to sin, Jesus is able to mediate between us and God. He gives us the ability to change.

The question then becomes: How are we going to change? Well, that depends on our answer to the ultimate question: “Who do you say that I am?”

If we answer with the people, “You’re the carpenter’s son;” or “You’re a fine teacher, a prophet, even;” then we, along with them, have totally missed the point.

If, however, we answer with Peter: “You are more than a carpenter, “You are the Messiah,” “You are the Christ.”

Then we must let him rule our lives.