Mark 8:27-30

Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.

Read Mark 8:27-30 imagining yourself among the disciples.

“Who do people say that I am?” Make no mistake, Jesus is not concerned about what people think. He is confident in his identity because of his constant connection with God the Father. So why does he ask this question? Most likely he is leading his closest followers on a mental journey of discovery. They have been with him for a while now, and they have witnessed the miraculous demonstrations of the Kingdom of God through Jesus’ healing and teaching ministry. Now Jesus leads them to reflect on his identity.

Who do people today say Jesus is?

Read Mark 8:27-30 again hearing Jesus’ second question directed right at you.

“But who do you say that I am?” This is where the rubber meets the road for the disciples and for us. We must all come to the point where we answer this question, and our answer will require something of us. If Jesus is merely a prophet or teacher we can simply learn from him, but if he is the Messiah, the King, that changes everything. We can no longer just fill our heads with knowledge, we must place out entire lives under his authority and live each day on his mission.

“But who do you say that I am?”

Take some time right now to let that question sink into your soul. Then take the question with you into your day or weekend and let Jesus take you on a journey of discovery. As you reflect on this question write down anything that comes to mind.

End your time today by talking to Jesus about whatever is on your mind and heart. Ask him to guide you as you contemplate his question.

If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.

Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.