One of these is Mark 8.
Jesus is going about the villages, doing his thing, when he gets all serious with the disciples. He stops them and and asks, "Who do you think I am?" After some missteps, they get it right. Peter is their spokesman.
It is important that every student of scripture be familiar with this exchange. Important in part because of the story's inclusion of titles for Jesus which would be great titles, but don't quite get it right. Too often, titles are suggested for Jesus which are good things to think about him, but they too fall short. Even before we come to understand what it means to call Jesus "Christ," we ought to know that this is the only title which completely fits.
Mark 8 goes on.
Immediately after making the confession that Jesus is Christ, Peter makes the mistake of assigning to the Christ his own expectations. Peter wants Christ to fit his model or understanding. This is an ongoing temptation. It is a constant and continual struggle to understand what it means to know Jesus as "Christ." As we make our way, it is likely that we, too, will speak of him as less than what he is. Being a Christian is a constant tension between affirming Jesus as Christ, and seeking a clearer understanding of what that means - for us, and for the world.
Read Mark 8. And help me to note other stories in the Bible too filled with meaning to be ignored. Someone should start a list.
No comments:
Post a Comment