“You are the Christ.”
Σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστός
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. Mark 8:27-30
Today’s passage comes in almost dead center in Mark’s Gospel (give or take), and it might be one of the most profound statements; it comes from the mouth of Peter.
“You are the Christ.”
Jesus is not John the Forerunner, Elijah, or other truth speakers. He is greater than all of these. Jesus is not simply a good teacher or great sage of the past whose teachings are worthy of emulation. Jesus is not a creation of some ancient cult or a construct of mass hysteria. He is the Messiah! He is the Anointed One! He is the Christ!
Now it is time to turn toward the Cross.
Jesus,
You are the Christ! I am your servant.
I pray in your name. Amen!
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