Who do we say this Jesus is?

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.”

     Peter is right with his words, yet he is wrong with his thinking. Christ the anointed one, the chosen one. Yes, Christ was anointed by God. He was the chosen one to share the Good News and to free us from sin. Jesus speaks openly to the disciples, telling them that the Son of Man will suffer, be rejected and killed. On the third day, He will rise again. Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him. Peter is not questioning Jesus about His statements, but Peter is flat out telling Jesus no. The idea of a suffering Christ does not align with his image of the anointed one.

The truth is harsh. There was only one way for Christ to set us sinners free. Suffering, rejected, mocked, beaten and crucified. Salvation could only come to us through the cross.

On a second occasion, while passing through Galilee, Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. This time there is no rebuke from Peter or any questions asked. The disciples did not understand and where afraid to ask. Why are they afraid to ask? Christ the anointed one is telling them about His suffering and death. This is not the image that they had. They thought that Jesus was going to reign then. He was going to free them from the Roman oppression.  Life was going to be grand with Christ as the ruling king. They were thinking in the here and now. The disciples could not imagine Christ as a suffering, rejected and murdered king. They kept missing what Jesus is telling them. They kept missing the last word, resurrection.  Too often, we do the same. We want this life to be easy. We want our comforts. We want to be free from suffering.  We want to be wanted. No suffering, no rejection. So how can we see Christ as a suffering and rejected king?

Jesus tells the disciples a third and final time about His impending death and resurrection.

 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Mark 10:33, 34

Rejected, the anointed one will be rejected, persecuted, spit upon, scourged and killed.  This is no king to rule and set them free from the Romans. This is not the king that they thought they were getting. However, this king is needed. The suffering, rejected, crucified king.  The risen king is Christ, the anointed one, He is in this for the long term, eternity. The here and now is a passing thing.  This is our King, the risen King! Who do we say this Jesus is? He is the risen Lord.