Reading: Mark 8
I read through this chapter many times because there is so much to process and meditate on. What stood out to me, though, was the question Jesus asked his disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” And I thought about how much we hear during our lives about various opinions, concepts, and ideas that others have about Jesus. But, Jesus is asking each of us the same question and we are required to answer that question on a personal level. What would you say if asked by Jesus “ Who do you say that I am?” More importantly than your words, what would your actions reveal about what your heart truly believes?
As the disciples are discussing (and we can assume fretting) because they forgot to pack food for their journey and only have one loaf of bread, Jesus asks: “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (v17-18). He reminded them about not one, but two occasions where they had been in this same situation and witnessed his miraculous provision. Aren’t we much the same though in our human reasoning. We forget all the times Jesus has provided and helped us. We forget who He really is and how we can trust Him to provide for our needs.
Jesus indeed is glad to show us miraculous signs and wonders but only if those signs and wonders are for a truly seeking and respectful heart. He wants to bolster our faith and enter into a relationship with us. But do we seek Him or what He can do for us? When we have other motives for coming to Jesus, he doesn’t want to waste His time. Just like the Pharisees who had evil motives for asking things of Him. “The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."” (v11-12) What are your motives for approaching the lamb of God?
If, like Peter, we confess that we believe Jesus is the Christ, do we then reject the things He tells us or asks of us that we don’t want to hear or face? Do we cling to His words and accept His will or do we let Satan take over our thoughts and control our reactions? This is a spiritual battle that may test our beliefs in Jesus often. But Jesus can rebuke Satan. And just like Peter, Jesus can forgive us and restore us to Him when we are truly repentant. He doesn’t give up on us but He does ask hard things of us. If we believe He is Christ, the Savior of the world, then we know that no matter what He requires of us, He has given us the security of our soul and there is nothing else in this life that matters. “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (v34-36)
So, ask yourself, as you think about your life and it’s purpose and value.....
If Jesus stood in front of you right now and asked “ Who do you say that I am?”, what would your true answer be? And ask yourself this also. Do you know “of Him” or do you earnestly seek to “ know” Him? He already knows each of us intimately and personally and He longs to make Himself known to us intimately and personally. It’s why He came to earth and suffered so much. We are precious in His eyes but is He precious in our ours?