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by Sandy Shaw
As we move onto Mark Chapter 8 and verse 27, we come to what has been regarded as a significant development in the account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as written by Mark. This is almost a watershed.
The Gospel of Mark leads up to this point, and flows from it. It builds up to a peak, as we move on to the Cross after this point. The Gospel begins at the Jordan which is low, and today we are on Mount Hermon – the highest place in Israel.
Miracles and parable almost disappear, and Jesus stops speaking about the Kingdom of God, and speaks about the Son of man.
Jesus also concentrates on the disciples rather than the crowds, and Jesus is soon to be in the south, rather than in Galilee.
There is a darkness in the text in one sense – no healings and miracles and excitement to the same degree.
Tragedy is soon to strike.
Was Jesus waiting for something? Was Jesus after something? Was Jesus patiently waiting for an answer to a question?
We have a question here – and an answer.
Jesus and His disciples were away up in the north – near a village called Dan – at the foot of Mount Hermon.
Out of the rock there flows a river. It is the source of the Jordan. It seems to start nowhere and finish nowhere. It empties into the Dead Sea.
This place is called Paneas – or Baneas today – but it was called after the god Pan – and its name was changed.
It was later dedicated to Caesar and people worshipped Caesar there – Caesarea Philippi.
Jesus took His men there and asked, what do people think about Me? What are they saying about Me? Jesus had been using the phrase “I AM” – that could give a very wrong impression.
Some thought this man had lived previously – how could a man in his 30’s know all this? What do you think? Who do you say I AM? They gave interesting answers.
Peter answered – You are the Christ – ‘thee’ Person – ‘thee’ One! We read Matthew’s fuller account Matthew Chapter 16, and Jesus explains that Father had revealed this to Peter.
Now, Israel had been waiting for this for hundreds of years – at least 600 years.
A person will never understand what Jesus will do for you and can do for you, until you know who Jesus is.
Jesus never mentioned the cross until this revelation is revealed – and, a second hand opinion about Jesus Christ is not of much help.
There is no mention of the cross up to this point.
Jesus tells these men not to tell anyone.
People wanted a political Saviour, but Jesus had come to release people from self and not from Rome - but self and sin.
That remains man’s massive need which only Jesus Christ can meet.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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