Monday, March 3, 2014

"Who do You say Jesus is?" (derived from Mark 8:27-29)

“Now Jesus and HIS disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road HE asked HIS disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ HE said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to HIM, ‘You are the Christ.’”
                                                                     -Mark 8:27-29, NKJV

Reading this scripture defines the difference between religion and relationship. Jesus asked HIS disciples who others say that He is and then who do they say He is. This is important to understanding part of the coming of Christ. Previously in chapter 7 verses 3-9, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their emphasis on acts and works in order to inherit the Kingdom of GOD. Jesus tells them “All too well you reject the commandment of GOD, that you may keep your tradition. (v.9).”  The Pharisees are so consumed with maintaining their religion, “A particular system of faith and worship” (Oxford, 2014), that they are consequently placing all their specific procedures and practices above the overall commandment of GOD. Jesus shuts the Pharisees down by explaining how their ways are against GOD’s word which pinpoints their hypocrisy.

Many people today fall victim to the system of religion by basing their salvation on their works and deeds. As if they have a check list of Christian “to-dos” such as going to church, attending bible study and giving the homeless man on the corner a dollar or two. I have heard it as attaining “Jesus points”. Jesus came to put a stop to all this measuring and weighing of deeds. It is not uncommon for humans to weigh their deeds because we have grown so accustomed to weighing our sins and scripture does not mention anything about the weighing of sin. There isn’t anything regarding which sin is greater than another, other than unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32, NKJV). We have been programmed by our families, society and media to act as if our deeds will save us a spot in heaven and Jesus informs us that such acts are considered “in vain” (v.7) because they are from a heart of emptiness. The root of our actions should not be to gain “Jesus points” or to even get into heaven but from a root of love, thanksgiving and gratitude (motive check!). In order to stem forth acts from these three seeds, it goes back to who do YOU say Jesus is?

We tend to build our perception of Jesus based on what we hear and see about HIM from others. However, that is not what HE wants from us. The Pharisees and High Priests served as middlemen and Jesus came to eliminate the middleman. “For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for HIS own sins and then for the people’s, for this HE did once for all when HE offered up HIMSELF.” (Hebrews 7:26-27, NKJV) Jesus doesn’t want us to gain our full perception of Him from others but instead from Him. When Jesus asked His disciples “But who do you say that I am?” there is emphasis on the word “you”, implying that all that matters is who do they say He is. The only way this can be answered is through a relationship with Jesus. A relationship such as spending time with Him, reading and studying His word, praising Him, and growing familiar with His voice so that we can recognize and take heed when we hear it. If we want to know who Jesus is, we have to seek Him and pursue Him wholeheartedly and not just on Sundays, Wednesdays and when times are rough. We are to not only praise Him when times are good either, but always. This is the only way we are to know, personally, who Jesus is. While reading the Word (scripture), we are to take it ALL as truth because He is truth (John 14:6, NKJV) and He is the Word (John 1:1-5, NKJV). As we develop a relationship with Jesus, like a shepherd with his sheep, He will guide us along the path of His plan; then, following is the matter of obedience (acts/works). We are to be transformed through obedience by His voice and not that of all the voices around us who is saying who they believe Jesus is. The only one in your life who Jesus is concerned about knowing who He is, is You.


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