Who do you say that I am?

 09 12 2021 Sermon

Mark 8:27-38

Today, we have two amazing moments in the story of Jesus. The first is when Jesus and the disciples have a discussion about his identity. He starts by asking what people are gossiping about. “Who do people say that I am?” They answer, “John the Baptist.” John had just been executed by Herod, and they thought maybe he had come back to them in some form or spirit. They answered, “Elijah or other prophets” also in some way returned in some form or spirit.

Surely, Jesus sounded like some of the prophets from several centuries before. We might say Jesus was “channeling” these forebears of the faith. Jesus spoke in the spirit of the prophets who were familiar to his people. He urged all people to be kind. He challenged leaders to offer justice and mercy to all. Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry, as had some of the prophets, especially Elijah and Elisha.

But there is more to Jesus than the prophets. He has been sent by God, not just called by God. So now, Jesus asks the twelve who know him best, “Who do you say that I am?” Most of them were silent, afraid to speak what they believed. But Peter blurts out, “You are the messiah.” It surprises us that even though Jesus wanted them to know this, believe this, he then says, “Don’t say this to anyone!”

Then Jesus begins to teach the disciples that his future will not be as a military hero, but that he will be arrested, tortured, and killed. Peter declares, “No! That’s not going to happen!” And Jesus tells Peter he is thinking like a human, and this is a matter for God. We know, of course, that what Jesus predicted came true. We also know that his death was not the end, but a new beginning.

Over the centuries, who Jesus is has changed, with layers and layers of meaning and interpretation added on. The ancient creeds help define who Jesus is. Jesus is God’s Son, and also God. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, and is also one with the Spirit and the Father.

The three personas of the Trinity are interconnected and inseparable, even though we may understand them as different and separate. For today’s sermon, we can say this about Jesus: Jesus is God, and his presence for a time on earth helped us understand who God is and how God wants us to behave, to connect with the Divine and with each other.

Now, it is our turn to answer the question. “Who do you say Jesus is?” A better question would be, “Who do you believe Jesus is?” We can know intellectually what scripture says. We can remember Sunday School lessons and Bible studies. We can confess our faith in the words of the Creeds. These methods help define Jesus.

But, in your heart, who do you believe Jesus is? When have you experienced him in your life? When you pray, to whom do you pray? To God? To the Father? To Jesus? To the Christ? To Spirit?

But wait, there’s more! There is more to knowing who Jesus is besides identifying him. We know the most about who he is by following in his footsteps, by being his hands and feet and words today.

 In our text, Jesus explains that to really be his follower, we must take up his cross. What kind of a cross do you carry? In the congregation, and in our day-to-day lives, we follow Jesus by being kind and merciful to others, treating all people with respect. We are all called to use the gifts God has given us; we offer hospitality, we teach, we lead, we knit or sew or build. 

Yesterday, I watched much of the broadcast of the Commemoration of the Anniversary of 9/11. If you were alive then, you have a memory of that day. The Church (capital C), the Temple (capital T), and the Mosque (capital M) all showed up in the aftermath of these attacks on America.

As I heard the stories, I rejoiced that so many followed Jesus that day and in the days, months, years that followed. Neighbors helped each other exit the buildings. Neighbors led each other to safety and food and shelter. Neighbors hugged and searched and consoled. Neighbors still support each other, hugging and consoling. Churches, temples, and synagogues became places of refuge.

On Flight 93, knowing what was about to happen, the passengers and crew made the decision to save hundreds of lives and the leadership of our country. They followed Jesus in giving their lives for the sake of others.

Today, while we remember with sadness and pain the attack of 20 years ago, we also rejoice that America still exists. The speakers I heard all urged us to be united in the one purpose of being the democracy our forebears created. E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. United, not uniform. Justice for all, no matter our color, faith, country of origin, or political party.

And I heard hope. Hope that the future will bring more justice to the people of America, and around the world. Hope is what comes from following Jesus. It sounds counter-intuitive to say that bearing a cross, maybe even to death, brings hope and life, but that’s just how God works.

And now, one more time. Who do you say Jesus is? How do you follow him? Amen