The Messiah

February 6, 2011

Mark 8:27–91

Key Verse: Mark 8:9

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Introduction

The Holy Spirit is our divine Teacher. We cannot know or understand the Scriptures except the Spirit is our Teacher. Thus the Word of God, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are known as “God-Breathed”—and the understanding of them also of divine Revelation. We are encouraged to study that which the Holy Spirit teaches us through His written Word. The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches us that “it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary: those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased” (I. I.). The Scriptures are to be seen as the “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life,” acknowledging “the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word” (W. I. VI.).

When Jesus asked the question of His disciples, “whom say ye that I am,” He was teaching them how they came to know His glory as the Messiah sent by the Father of the Triune Godhead. In Romans 11:36, we read of Christ that “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen.” The term ‘glory’ reveals the need for an unfailing and trustworthy Word (revelation). ‘Doxa,’ translated glory, recognizes a person for whom he is, whether it is for honor or dishonor, integrity or corrupt. Scripture reveals that all have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In other words, lost in our transgressions and sin, we lack the righteous and moral character that God had intended us to have, being made after His image. How then do we know what righteousness is, what moral character is, who God is in all His majesty of Creator, Lord, and Savior? Only by the revealed word and will of God do we know. To glorify God is to testify to His character and nature as He has so revealed Himself in His Word.

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Who is the Messiah?—Mark 8:27–30

While Jesus was traveling with His disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi, He asked them, “Who do men say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets.” Jesus then asks them, “But who say ye that I am?” Following Christ is a demanding task. However, the task is accompanied by Christ himself.

Following Christ is a demanding but promising task. Christ is the only Good Shepherd who enters into the very life of His followers. The followers of Christ have been given a Book of Truth, a rule of faith and practice. The disciple has to be taught. However, he also has the Holy Spirit Himself to teach him. We know our King and Savior by personal revelation through His written Word. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How did Peter come to that conclusion? Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (See Matt.16:15–17). The true nature of Christ is revealed by the Spirit of God. The knowledge of who the Son is, and why He was sent to take on our flesh, is revealed by God alone.

Jesus charged his disciples “that they should tell no man of him.” They still had a lot to learn about Jesus and His work. The Christian needs to learn the lesson that there is more to be learned as one becomes a follower of Christ. It is in fellowship with Christ, that we follow and serve Him. The King does not remain apart from His chosen army. He is before them and with them in service and in battle. By His authority, given Him in heaven and in earth, He sends His servants to “Go . . . and, lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:18–20). His disciples follow Him with this promise, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:26).

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The Rebuke—Mark 8:31–33

Jesus teaches His disciples “that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” That gracious act of our Savior on the cross must come before any man can become a follower or disciple of Christ. Our life begins on the cross. We have been redeemed, purchased from the wrath of the Father by the suffering and death of Christ on His cross. Though we will not suffer or pay the death wages of our sin, which Christ did in our place, we must suffer with Him in our service on earth. It is written that we are children of God, “joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17).

Like Peter, we rebuke or criticize the idea of suffering. We claim His blood, but not His suffering at the hands of the Father for our guilt and sin. At least we don’t like to think about it. Peter was rebuked by Christ with these words, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” Peter spoke, not the words of truth, but of the deceiver. We still battle the sin that is within us, the sin which speaks more of Satan than of God. We must weigh our words carefully in our witness and teaching of men and of nations. We carry the banner of our Lord, not of the enemy.

Discussion: What does Christ say about His suffering?

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The Suffering—Mark 8:34–35

Jesus calls His disciples together that they may learn the lesson of suffering and denial. For these things are integral parts of the life of a follower of Christ. The characteristic of a servant of Christ is this: “Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” To deny self means that one removes self from anything that hinders his service to and fellowship with Christ. The word ‘cross’ in this verse speaks of an instrument of torture. It speaks of Christ’s suffering for our sins. It speaks of His disciples as suffering or enduring affliction for the sake of His Gospel. This denial is further illustrated in this Biblical truth that “whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and gospel’s, the same will save it.” The follower of Christ depends wholly upon Him who chose Him. We must not substitute our criterion for service for God’s demand for obedience.

Discussion: What does it mean to deny oneself for Christ and His Gospel?

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The Exchange—Mark 8:36–37

A follower of Christ knows that His soul has been delivered from the darkness of eternal death to the fellowship of the Father in His eternal light. Christ asks the question, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” TV rosters seem to gain more award shows each year. Icons are made of those who pass away that their memory may be honored. The exchange is made. Of what profit is there for the one who gains world recognition, but loses his or her soul? The question that Christ raises emphasizes the greatness of denying self and following Christ.

A Christian becomes a profitable citizen of the kingdom of God as a follower of Christ. There is no greater fellowship in this world. There is a greater exchange, being delivered from death to life. Onesimus became a child of God and a son in the faith of Paul’s. And so he wrote of Onesimus, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me” (Philemon 11). Would that we be so profitable to our Master and Savior Christ Jesus!

Discussion: What great exchange do you see in your service to Christ?

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The Kingdom—Mark 8:38–9:1

Christ spoke to His disciples, saying that there would be some of them who “shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” John the Baptist was sent by God to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2). Christ told His followers to seek the “kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Christ’s disciples belong to His kingdom. John Calvin (Institutes) wrote that the law and the prophets (Matt. 11:13) “gave a foretaste of that wisdom which was one day to be clearly manifested, and showed it afar off. But where Christ can be pointed to with the finger, there the kingdom of God is manifested. In him are contained all the treasures of wisdom and understanding, and by these we penetrate almost to the very shrine of heaven.”

Followers, be not ashamed of your Savior, and Christ will not be ashamed you when He comes “in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” You have entered His kingdom through His death and resurrection. Now serve Him in His kingdom here on earth. Serve Him as father and mother, sister and brother, as church member and officer, as witnesses to His gospel. All of life is lived in the kingdom of God on earth, as it in His heavens.

Discussion: How is the kingdom of God manifested on this earth?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.