24th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

Twenty-fourth Sunday [Mk 8:27-35]

12.09.2021

Peter Declares Jesus’ Messianic Identity

Readings: (1) Is 50:5-9 (2) Jas 2:14-18

1.  Theme in brief

Cost of discipleship

2.  Focus Statement   

As his disciples Jesus challenges us to answer the question who he is for us personally and make a daily decision to commit ourselves to him by following his way of suffering, rejection, self-denial, carrying our crosses and participating in his death.

3.   Explanation of the text

Today’s gospel text has two purposes: (1) To correct the wrong understanding in disciples’ mind about the role of Jesus as Messiah; and (2) to delineate in plain terms the cost of Christian discipleship. Until now Mark’s gospel had depicted Jesus as the One who did mighty deeds in Galilee with divine powers. This role had made people wonder about his true identity and question among themselves: “Who then is this” (Mk 4:41)? Today’s text tells us about a turning point in his life, as he was leaving Galilee and heading towards Jerusalem where he would be crucified. On the way to Caesarea Philippi he began to reveal to them his true identity and mission by asking them two questions: first a general one (“Who do people say that I am?”) and then  a particular one (“Who do you say that I am?” 8:27, 29).

In modern terms these questions look like a mini-opinion poll. Public opinion about Jesus was unanimous on one point: all agreed that he was not an ordinary man; but it differed greatly on the specifics. To the first question about what others say about him (8:27), they answered that according to some he was John the Baptist risen from the dead; according to others he was prophet Elijah who (as per popular belief) is supposed to return before the Messiah came; and according to some others one of the OT prophets (8:28). Next he asks them a specific and personal question: What do ‘you’ and not others, say about me (8:29)? In other words, he asks them to take a personal stand about him or give their personal opinion about him irrespective of what others may say.

As a spokesperson for the group, Peter was prompt in answering, "You are the Messiah" (8:29). He was correct in his identification of Jesus, but was wrong in his understanding of the term “Messiah.” Messiah in Hebrew is the same as ‘Christos’ in Greek (Christ in English) and both the words mean the Anointed One – as kings were anointed and consecrated for their work of governance in OT days. He meant that Jesus was the long-awaited glorious Messiah of David’s line, a triumphant king and a political liberator. But Jesus corrected their wrong notion by telling them plainly that he was going to be a suffering Messiah who would be rejected by the elders, chief priests and the scribes and face a violent death (8:31). His glory would be revealed when he would rise again from the dead only after undergoing this ordeal (8:31). This prediction might have really shocked them. It was unimaginable to think of a Messiah-King who would be crucified as a criminal. When Peter confessed about his discovery of Jesus as Messiah, Jesus sternly ordered them to keep it a secret (8:30). This ‘messianic secret’ was meant to avoid misunderstanding of his role as Messiah; otherwise they might take him as a divine wonder-worker and not as a suffering Messiah.

As soon as Peter heard about Jesus’ views of the term Messiah, he took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him privately (8:32) advising him to forget about that idea of suffering and prove himself to be a triumphant Messiah. He wanted to nip this ‘nonsense’ in the bud. Now it was Jesus’ turn to rebuke him sternly by saying: “Get behind me Satan,” because his (Peter’s) thoughts were purely human thoughts and not God’s (8:33). Jesus called Peter “Satan” because Peter was tempting him in a similar manner as Satan tempted Jesus after fourty days of fasting to change his mind and rely on power and wealth to gain glory. Like the devil, Peter was attempting to divert Jesus’ focus from his God-given mission. The devil in Peter was telling Jesus to think in his terms and walk in his way instead of God’s way. It looks he wanted Jesus to follow him, rather than he following Jesus.

After this Jesus began to explain what following him and discipleship meant. According to this lesson on the cost of discipleship, discipleship was open to “anyone” but there were four conditions (8:34): (1) they must deny themselves; (2) take up their crosses and accept suffering; (3) must follow the way of the Master to the point of dying like him; and (4) instead of saving their life must be willing to lose it for his sake and for the sake of the gospel (8:35). Saving life means keeping it safe and secure from all dangers and risks that are involved in active concern for others. Hence, if anyone confessed Jesus to be the Christ (as Peter did) it had these implications – the price to be paid. The motivation to lose one’s life is not only for Jesus’ sake but also for the sake of his gospel (8:35). This implies a total commitment to his Person and to his message or for the sake of others.

4.  Application to life                     

What do people in the world and around us say about Jesus? As in the days of Jesus till today opinions about him vary. Nobody denies that he has made a tremendous impact on human history. Communists, sociologists, social activists, psychologists, humanists and spiritual teachers – all of them can find support for their ideologies in him. Recently I found a view-card which mentions about what a club of scientists and experts think of him: a zoologist calls him “Lion of Judah,” a botanist “Tree of Life,” a geologist “Rock of Ages,” a mathematician “Alpha and Omega,” an engineer “A Strong Tower” and a doctor “A Great Healer.” Theologians may call him “The Word,” etc.  

But Jesus tells us to forget about what others say about him. To each one of us he asks: “You, and what do ‘you’ personally say I am?” If Christ were to ask the same question which he asked his disciples, what would be our answer today? It is not enough to recite the common Creed. Today Jesus asks each one of us to compose our own personal creed or profession of faith. Those of us who are simple in faith may rattle so many titles we know from prayers/ catechism and conclude by saying: “He is my everything.” Most of us are Christians today because we were born of Christian parents who brought us up in their faith. It was their choice, rather than ours. But Jesus tells us to forget about what our parents told us about him and answer him personally: Why do you follow me today? As adults now, are we Christians purely because of our parents, or birth in a Christian family, or because of our personal conviction that Jesus has touched and influenced us in such a way that we cannot but say: “To whom else shall I go to find meaning and fulfilment in life?” Christian faith doesn’t consist only in knowing about Jesus (i.e. learning or studying about his life and teachings), but ‘knowing’ Jesus personally; it is a personal decision to commit ourselves to Christ. One may know all his teachings or words by heart for the sake of knowledge; one may get best marks in a Bible test; one may have a Doctorate in theology; one may admire him as an extraordinary personality; but need not be committed to him or his cause at all.

How do we grow into the personal ‘knowledge’ (that is, personal experience or intimacy in biblical language) of Jesus? We grow (1) by developing a personal and deeper intimacy with him through prayer and meditation on his Word; (2) by taking a personal stand for his values and resisting worldly values; and (3) by trying to imitate his spirit of selfless love, service and compassion, especially towards the needy, the suffering and the marginalized. Hence, confessing Christ does not mean just repeating Peter’s answer from the Bible, but making a personal decision to live by Christ’s values, such as active concern for the needy, compassion for those who suffer, forgiving the offenders without conditions, etc. Thus, our confession of faith should reflect in our life and actions.  In our day-to-day life sometimes we decide against Christ by not only committing sins but also by omitting to do the good (service) he has commanded us to do. Actually speaking, our behaviour or way of life proclaims who Christ is for us, or whether we ‘know’ him personally.

We must not forget that a painful price-tag is attached to our profession of faith in Christ; it is embracing our daily cross. What does taking up the daily cross mean in our concrete situation? The cross symbolizes suffering, sacrifice and humiliation. Sometimes certain persons in our life become our crosses, such as an alcoholic husband for his wife and children, a delinquent child for its parents, a bed-ridden or terminally ill member of the family, aged and lingering parents, etc. Certain situations and conditions can become our crosses, such as personal illness, a dangerous job, an unsafe workplace, unemployment, broken marriage, etc. Bitter experiences of insult, humiliation and betrayal by family members, friends and neighbours like marital unfaithfulness, false accusations, calumny and character assassination, land disputes and court cases can be our heavy crosses. Those who are involved in social reform have to carry the crosses of humiliation, opposition, ridicule, rejection (sometimes by our own people) and criticism. I have seen with my eyes the ridicule, humiliation and opposition faced by women who agitated against illegal distilleries and liquor outlets in my mission field – all for the sake of social reform and peace in families.

Humanly speaking nobody wants crosses. For many of us, it is at the back of our mind that one of the purposes of prayer is to ask God to take away all pain and sorrow from our life. Jesus never forced anybody to follow him by making attractive promises for an easy/ comfortable life. He offered them glory with a price attached to it; that price was the cross. He did not demand from his followers a thing which he himself was not prepared to do. To be followers of Christ we have to say no to self and take up our daily crosses. The essence of Christian life is not to keep it (= to save it) in selfish hoarding, but give and spend it in self-forgetful love.

Peter wanted to see a Messiah who would deliver them from pain, but Jesus talked about undergoing pain and suffering. He and his companions might have expected a high place in his palace, an important post for themselves, a lot of power, influence, money and a bright future. All their dreams of getting another powerful king in David’s line, who would bring them prosperity and liberation were shattered. That is why he protested strongly when heard about a suffering Messiah. Peter represents the natural reaction of human beings to suffering and pain. In fact, he was well-meaning. He was very much concerned about the safety and security of his Master. We must realize that sometimes the devil in Peter comes to us in the voice or ‘good’ advice of a well-meaning friend. When we want to take a right course/ decision that will bring us trouble, unpopularity and opposition, some ‘well-meaning’ friends may stop us out of ‘concern.’ They may caution us and advice us to play it safe. It is worth asking ourselves whether we too want Jesus to be the Messiah of Peter’s expectation; a Messiah who would put a perfect order in a messy world. When we are facing so many problems in life, we want that he should solve them instantly. When Jesus does not meet our expectations, we too find him a ‘disappointing Messiah!’ 

Jesus asks his followers to renounce all confidence in themselves and in their own strength, and fix their gaze on his crucified image. Self-denial which means saying no to self and yes to Christ, does not mean giving up meat on Fridays or drinks on Wednesdays. It means saying daily no to one’s own plans/designs, ambitions, whims and fancies, and saying yes to God’s plans and ways. He calls us to say no to a life of self-comfort at the cost of others, no to self-seeking, no to natural instincts and desires of the flesh. When I give and share my life I shall be known as a kind-hearted person, but when I hold on to life I shall be known as “that heartless nut”. Following Jesus means being prepared to suffer with him or face rejection like him and ‘die’ with him. St Paul says: “I die every day” (1 Cor 15:31). He further says that he always carries around in his body the death of Jesus (2 Cor 4:11). Naturally, he refers to the risks, dangers, self-denials or sacrifices which he was making for the sake of Christ’s gospel. Jesus tells us that our happiness does not consist in having and getting, grabbing and accumulating anything for ourselves but in sharing and giving what we have.

5.  Response to God's Word

Together with the question, “who do you say that I am,” Jesus also asks another one: “who do you say that you are? What is the purpose of your life as a Christian disciple? To keep it for yourself, or give it and share it generously?” Do Christ and his values make an impact on our lives? When we are tempted to avoid crosses, to give them up, do we run away from them and look for our safety, comfort, pleasures, security and personal gain? If we resist these temptations, we pass the test of discipleship and if we yield to them we fail. Are we faithful disciples?

6.  A prayer

Lord Jesus, how hard are the demands you make on me to remain your faithful disciple.  When the price becomes too costly, be near me and give me the courage, strength and self-sacrificing spirit to pay it. Amen.