Mark 8:27-30
Peter's Confession of Christ
27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."
29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
Long ago, Jesus asks the twelve disciples two questions...This is a question for all of us, today...
Jesus first asks the disciples, "Who do people say I am?" and then asks them "Who do you say I am?"...
Jesus may have ask this question for several reasons...One, they were a passive group and their faith was passive, while the unbelievers were active about their unbelief...Their faith was not growing as fast as He was wanting to see...They had been with Him, but had failed to realize His divinity and power...Jesus may just want us sometimes to admit important things aloud and/or to others, to get us thinking...Maybe He wanted the Twelve to start thinking deeper about who He was...Maybe He wanted them to make an informed opinion, on who He is...Maybe He was ready to reveal His identity, and the Twelve had not truly realized the depth of their following...Regardless, the questions was put out there by Him, and the question is a deep one...
The group answers who the "people" think He is...The people think he maybe John the Baptist, Elijah, the prophet, or others thought He was one of the prophets...
I think the next question is the more important of the two questions...
Then He asks "But what about you, who do you say I am"... Peter answers "You are the Christ"...Jesus tells them not to tell anyone (that He is the Christ)...
Like the twelve disciples we must be prepared to answer the question, "But what about you, who do you think I am?"...Two thousand years ago, He asks the question and two thousand years later, controversy, lack of information, lack of faith lead us to the same answers as the Twelve answered Him then...Our spiritual faith grows only by belief and faith...Even with all the signs and the miracles shown to the people and the Twelve, the question was not answered and was put out there by Jesus... Our lack of faith can slow and retard some of the most important understandings...
Who do you think Jesus is today?...The question is as pertinent today and it was two thousand years ago...Spiritual growth comes only through practicing and having faith...
St. Peter confessed He was the Messiah...What is your confession?...