Who is this Man?
OVERVIEW - No one recognized who Jesus was except the demons cast out by him. Only in his sacrificial death is his identity understood – Mark 4:41.
Threaded through the Gospel of Mark is the ironic storyline - Until his crucifixion, no one recognized who Jesus was or acknowledged him as the “Son of God,” with the sole exceptions of the demons exorcised by him, and of the heavenly voice heard by him after his baptism.
At the Jordan River, the voice from heaven proclaimed him the beloved “Son.” Later, when he exorcised demons, they recognized him as the “Son of God,” although whenever any demon made such an outcry, Jesus silenced it, “For they knew who he was.”
In contrast, men and women were without perception, unable to understand his identity, and even members of his immediate family. After casting out one demon, the crowd “was amazed, one and all, so that they began to discuss among themselves saying: What is this?” Even his closest disciples remained clueless - (Mark 1:10-11, 1:24-34, 5:7).
Following his miraculous calming of a storm, and greatly terrified, the disciples asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” Even a display of power of that magnitude was insufficient to open their eyes - (Mark 1:27, 4:41).
Later, “on the way” to Jerusalem, Peter seemed on the verge of grasping his identity, declaring in response to his query: “You are the Messiah.” However, when Jesus explained that his calling meant suffering, rejection, and death, Peter “began to rebuke him.” The idea of the Messiah being crucified by Israel’s enemies was inconceivable to a patriotic Jew. But Jesus reacted with a sharp reprimand: “Withdraw behind me, Satan, because you are not regarding the things of God but the things of men!” - (Mark 8:29-32).
Only at the Cross did one man finally recognize him, and ironically, none other than the Roman centurion in charge of his execution. When Jesus breathed his last, the pagan officer declared - “Truly this man was the Son of God.” He perceived what none of the religious leaders of Israel or even his own disciples could see. Only when he was crucified did someone begin to understand who he was.
There is no Christianity without Christ and there is no saving faith apart from Christ Crucified.
Years later, when he wrote to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul did not engage in metaphysical speculations about the nature of Christ Instead, he presented his submission to a shameful death on a Roman cross as the paradigm for Christian conduct - He “poured himself out, taking the form of a slave,” and he humbled himself by becoming “obedient as far as death, even death upon a cross” - (Philippians 2:6-11).
To follow Jesus means to configure your life according to his teachings and example. This model goes back to Christ himself when he taught his disciples:
- “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above his master… He that does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” - (Matthew 10:24-38).
Towards the end of his ministry, some disciples were disputing which of them would be the “greatest” in the kingdom. Jesus admonished them:
- “Not so is it to be among you, but whoever shall desire to become great among you shall be your minister, and whosoever shall desire to be first among you shall be your slave: just as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom instead of many.”
"Greatness" in his kingdom is achieved only by self-sacrificial service to others. Only in this way does the disciple conform his life to the pattern set by Jesus. To follow "the Lamb wherever he goes" means to live a life of humble service, submission to the will of his Father, and a willingness to suffer for his sake.
Only in the Cross of Christ are we able to perceive his identity, and the nature of his call. Resurrection and glory come for all who follow Jesus, but only after embracing his Cross.
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