To read the texts click on the texts: Jas 2:1-9; Mk 8:27-33
The story that forms part of our text for today (8:27-30) is
titled by many as “Peter’s Confession”. The place where Jesus asks his
disciples questions about his identity is termed by Mark as “the villages of
Caesarea Philippi” which Matthew corrects to “the region of Caesarea Philippi”
(Mt 16:13).
The first question of Jesus concerns the opinion of people or the
common opinion. The views expressed are already in 6:14-16, namely: John the
Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. This obviously is an inadequate
description of who Jesus really is, and this is why the disciples as a group
are asked about Jesus’ identity. Peter replies on behalf of the group that
Jesus is the Messiah or Christ. In Mark, we come across yet again the command
to silence after this confession, and concerns not making known that Jesus is
the Messiah. The reason for this seems to be that since the confession is made
before the passion, it will not have taken into account that aspect of the life
of Jesus. This is why immediately after the command to silence Mark has the
first of three passion and resurrection predictions (8:31).
For the first time
Mark informs us that Jesus “said all this quite openly” (8:32). On hearing
Jesus speak about his suffering, death and resurrection, Peter who had earlier
confessed that Jesus was Messiah begins to rebuke Jesus. The meaning is that
Peter thinks that Jesus is insane and needs to be exorcised of the demon that
has possessed him. Jesus in turn calls Peter, Satan. This is because in his
confession, Peter had not included the suffering and death of the
Messiah. Jesus will remain obedient to God even if it means laying down
his life in total surrender and no one can come in the way of that obedience.
It is not easy for us to accept that suffering is a part of life
itself and that there will be times when we are tested and tried. However, as
Christians we must also note that suffering can never be the end and that since
God wants only what is good for us we are loved unconditionally even in our
suffering.
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