Everyone had an opinion. It was a hotly debated topic. Because the answer really mattered.

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked his disciples.

He asked his disciples because they were, in fact, his disciples. They were going to be the ones entrusted with all that He taught them.

Peter, the outspoken one, answered.

 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Good. They got it. They knew him to be the Messiah. They certainly did not know all what that meant, but they knew enough.

Then he told them not to tell others.

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,  saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Wait…what? Why wouldn’t Jesus want everyone to know?

It was all about timing. The people were not ready yet.

If he was just openly proclaimed as the Messiah, they would have killed him then and there. He needed a little more time to make sure he was able to teach the people and fully equip the disciples. His ministry would be short. Only a couple of years. And he needed the time he was given.

And knowing that his death was impending, he began to teach the disciples that they too would suffer. But this is part of it.

 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Jesus bids me come he bids me come and die.”

That’s the invitation. And one you won’t hear much today, at least in the Western church. We’re too busy believing we need to walk in “wisdom” which is actually safety and security. We are afraid of lawsuits more than we are obedience to God. We’re more concerned with following all the laws of the land greater than the laws of God.

What it actually is about is what we don’t want to lose our lives. Our freedom. And our families.

The way of the cross this is entirely different. It costs us offering. Including our pride, honor and respect in society.

The words of Jesus are very troubling.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  

O dear Lord, I confess I’ve withheld saying something caring more about myself than you. Please have mercy. And may I never have to hear words that you are ashamed of me when you come.

Wow, that would be tough.

But then there’s one last thing Jesus says. It can trip people up:

But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Um… we’re still here. Those people died a long time ago. So what does Jesus mean?

Let’s catch that on the next post. Because it’s good to stop and ponder just exactly what Jesus is saying. Read it again:

 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,  saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”