Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Over the years, I’ve written and spoken many times about that question—the most important question in the Bible. And so have many others.
“Jesus went out with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the road he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.” “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he strictly warned them to tell no one about him.” (Mark 8:27–30, CSB)
The question remains. Who do you say that Jesus is? Answering that question is the core of Mark’s Gospel. Most who read Lambchow will know the correct answer. So, let’s dive a little deeper. Who is Jesus in your life right now? Savior, Lord, friend, Christ/Messiah, shepherd, comfort, hope, judge, source, life, love, purpose, provider, joy, fear, all-in-all. While Peter’s answer was correct, it didn’t contain the whole. Our answer may also be accurate with a realization that there is so much more about Jesus to discover and embrace.
Peter’s revelation marks a turning point in Jesus’ teaching. “Then he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke openly about this. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” (Mark 8:30–33, CSB) Before this point, Jesus’ show and tell was revealing who He is. Now, His teaching moves to His purpose, His mission.
We may think that Peter is silly. Who is he to rebuke Jesus? And Jesus doesn’t hold back in His rebuke of Peter. We’ve all done it. We think we have God all figured out and that we can tell Him what to do or what the correct answer is to our problems. And then we get mad at God when He does something different than our plans. In those moments, we, like Peter, are not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.
“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8, CSB) Humility is the key to both the revelation and the rebuke. In humility, we don’t make God into the image we desire; we discover and embrace Him as He is. In humility, we accept His answers to our problems, hopes, fears, and concerns. The good news is that God gives us the grace to grow into this and to understand Him more fully.
- Essential Worship – A Worship Map - March 4, 2026
- Proverbs – Anxiety - March 2, 2026
- Essential Worship – Sprirt and Truth - February 25, 2026
