Who are your people?

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: MARK 8:27-38 (MESSAGE)

Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”  “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’” He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.

But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”

Who am I?  What a question!  It is a question we all ask and it is a question that we answer differently in different situations.  Who am I?  I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, a friend, a minister, a listener, a confidant, a worrier, a questioner and so much more. 

But Jesus was asking a different kind of question.  He was asking a faithful question, a question about identity and intentionality.  Who is Jesus?  Who is Jesus in my life?  What does this mean in my life?  Does this change how I live?  Does this change how I respond to others?  Does this ask something of me that I am not willing to give?  Does this challenge my comfort and my assumptions?  Who is Jesus and who is he in my life?

As we ask these questions and explore our answers, we will also be welcoming people back to Church and back into relationship with God through Jesus.  Please join us this Sunday, September 16 at 10am in Christ Church when we come back together as a community after a summer spent resting, relaxing, vacationing, sunning, having fun, and restoring ourselves. After Church we will have a picnic in the park with a bouncy-house, bubbles and other fun things … so, bring your family and your friends, and join the celebration! Looking forward to seeing you in Church!