Identity Crisis Essays (4140 words) - Jewish Messiah Claimants

THE IDENTITY CRISIS OF A SAVIOR INTRODUCTION With so much invested in this particular passage, Mark attempts to direct his readers to the attention of the suffering Messiah who must suffer many things, be killed, and in three days rise again. This passage is the turning point in Marks? gospel for it deals with the identity of Jesus and how the disciples continue to misunderstand who He is. There is instruction on discipleship and the eschatological consequences for not following the very words of Jesus. At the very heart of this passage is the question, ?But who do you say I am? and it is this question that continues to dominate the Christian mind and heart. How we answer this question has everything to do with our ability to follow Jesus and effectively we are able to share the gospel with other people. Christians should have an accurate interpretation of this text and a plausible answer to this question, for if we fail to understand and comprehend the man from Nazareth we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes the disciples t hemselves made. CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS This passage was written in 64ad. during the reign of Nero the emperor who blamed the Christians in Rome for the massive fires that nearly burned Rome to the ground. Christians would have read Marks? gospel for comfort amidst these very trying times. This passage also relates to what happens in the unfolding events prior to Peter?s confession, and those that follow the passion narrative of Marks? gospel. The healing of the blind man in Bethsaida in (Mk. 8:22-26 NIV) resembles the disciples inability to recognize Jesus for who He is even after their eyes have been opened. In the following passage Jesus begins teaching His disciples that ?The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise again (Mk. 9: 31-32 NIV)? and as usual they do not understand (Mk. 9:30-32 NIV). This theme is developed over and over again in Marks? narrative and is central to the disciple?s proper understanding of Jesus. FORMAL ANALYSIS This passage is the turning point of Mark?s Gospel for it deals with the identity of Jesus and the disciple?s first recognition of him as the Messiah. It also introduces the theme of the suffering Messiah, which will be developed later on in the succeeding chapters. Included in this passage are two very important events that are at the very heart of Mark?s Gospel. The first event deals with Peter?s confession and the second has to do with the first passion narrative. Built-in to the text are instructions on discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. This section belongs to the preceding chapters and the following parts of Mark?s Gospel, for it is the climax of chapters 1-8 and also the transition to the new section; hence the overlapping in the outline. Outline of the Gospel of Mark (8:27 -9:1 NIV) I.The Great Discovery (Mark 8:27-30 NIV) A.Caesarea Philippi (vs.27 NIV) B.?on the way? (vs.27 NIV) C.?Who do people say I am (vs.27 NIV) D.The disciples answer (vs.28 NIV) E.?But who do you say I am (vs.29 NIV) F.Instruction (vs.30 NIV) II.The First Passion Narrative (Mark 8:31-33 NIV) A.Then He began? (vs.31 NIV) B.Son of man (vs.31 NIV) C.Rejection and suffering (vs.31 NIV) D.Peter rebukes Jesus (vs.32 NIV) E.Jesus rebukes Peter (vs.33 NIV) III.The Lesson on Discipleship (Mark 8:34-9:1 NIV) A.The calling of the crowd (vs.34 NIV) B.Teaching discipleship (vs.34-37 NIV) C.Ashamed (vs.38 NIV) D.Foreshadowing (vs.9:1 NIV) DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT: THE GREAT DISCOVERY (MARK8:27-30 NIV) (27) Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ?Who do people say I am (28) They replied, ?Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.? (29) But what about you he asked. ?Who do you say that I am Peter answered, ?You are the Christ.? (30) Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Jesus and His disciples are on the road to Caesarea Philippi. This setting is significant. Jesus has started down the long and winding road that will lead Him to Jerusalem and His death. It is at this point that Jesus asks the question, ?Who do