Mark 8:27ff is the pivotal moment of Mark’s gospel. Before the conversation in this section of Scripture, Mark records 20 miracles performed by Jesus. There are only six miracles recorded in the last half of Mark, which follows this conversation. People have been marveling at Jesus and people have been trying to determine who He is. So Jesus’ question here, “Who do people say that I am?,” is not just important for the disciples walking with Jesus in Mark 8, but for those of us who read the book today. Notice a few answers we glean from Mark 8:27-9:1.
He is “Jesus” (27). The name means “Savior,” and is, in fact, the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua” (“Jehovah saves”). Matthew connects the name and the person of this Jesus with the salvation He came to bring. An angel of the Lord explains to Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (1:20-21). “Jesus” also expresses His humanity, as it is the name He goes by and even used with His hometown when He is called “Jesus of Nazareth” (1:24; 10:47). The fact that my Savior shares my humanity encourages me. I know He can empathize with me (Heb. 2:14; 4:15; 5:7).
He is “Christ” (29). While this designation of Jesus is found seven times in the gospel, He does not use it of Himself until after Peter confesses Him to be the Christ (9:41; 12:35; 13:21). It is this claim that enrages the High Priest (14:61) and draws the mockery of the crowd at His crucifixion (15:32). “Christ” means “anointed one” or “Messiah.” In the Old Testament, the anticipated deliverer is called “Anointed” (Ps. 2:2) and “Messiah” (Dan. 9:25-26). Kings (1 Sam. 24:7), priests (Lev. 4:3), and the patriarchs (Ps. 105:15) are said to be anointed. All of these have connection to Jesus. He came to become “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16). He is our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14). Those patriarchs are part of the Messianic lineage. No wonder Jesus (John 14:6) and His disciples (Acts 4:12) communicate that salvation from sin can only come through Him. Peter correctly discerned that Jesus is no mere prophet or harbinger. He is the expected deliverer. I must come to, live with, and share with others this conviction! That fact is the central difference in how I live my daily life!
He is “Son of Man” (31,38). Jesus connects this designation with more than one thing. First, He connects it to His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection (31). Then, He connects it to His Lordship (8:34-9:1). Properly understood, “Son of Man” will “convey if possible a (messianic) sense of dignity, authority, and responsibility. Strictly to be avoided is any translation which would equate the title merely with ‘man,’ ‘a human being” (Bratcher-Nida, Handbook on Mark, 81). It is Mark’s most common designation for Jesus, found thirteen times in this book (2:10,28; 8:31,38; 9:9,12,31; 10:33,45; 13:26; 14:21,41,62). But by using this designation, which Jews would equate with authority and majesty (Dan. 7:13-14), Jesus is connecting dots in revealing the great mystery of God’s eternal plan. The majestic Messiah was about to suffer. It’s this aspect that Paul shares with us in the necessary development of our mindset, illustrated by God emptying Himself and lowering Himself for the purpose of sacrificing His life for us (Phil. 2:5-8). When I consider this designation for my Savior, I am reminded of the greatness of service and His worthiness to be completely followed and obeyed. But, His suffering does not indicate weakness, but rather power (9:1). The Lamb will one day be the Judge.
In his book The Essence Of Life: The Book Of Answers, Ralph B. Smith noted that children ask 125 questions per day (many parents can attest to this being a reasonable estimation). Adults ask only six questions per day, on average. Yet, there is one question we all must ask and properly answer. Who do we say that He is (29)? Is He my Savior? Is He my King and High Priest? Is He my Deliverer? Is He my Lord and Master? Is He my Authority? He must be my everything and my all! If not, I have missed who He is but I will also miss all He came to offer. I cannot do that!
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