Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost 2024

Mark 8:27-38

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

Today, Jesus and his disciples are journeying to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, a city known for its grandeur and political significance, where Roman authority and pagan worship were very prominent. Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, had granted the location to King Herod who built a marble temple in honor of the emperor. Later, Herod’s heir Philip the tetrarch, named the city Caesarea Philippi as a tribute to Caesar Augustus.

During this journey, near a center of human power and arrogance, Jesus engages his disciples in a significant dialogue.  He poses two key questions to lead them in a deep understanding of his mission. Jesus begins the dialogue by asking, “Who do people say that I am?”

Some months earlier, Jesus had begun his ministry in Galilee and his reputation has spread widely, garnering recognition from the people. His influence has extended to Judea in such a way that some Pharisees and Scribes have traveled to Galilee to challenge his teachings. So, what do the people perceive about Jesus and what are their expectations of him? The disciples’ responses reveal diverse interpretations rooted in the messianic expectation. People associate Jesus with figures like John the Baptist, Elijah, or great prophets from the Old Testament believed to be sent by God. Jesus neither confirms nor refutes these beliefs, but redirects the questions to his disciples by asking, “But who do you say that I am?”

When Jesus redirects the question to his disciples, Peter dares to declare, “You are the Messiah.” In contrast to Matthew’s Gospel, where Peter is praised for his response, Mark’s account notes that Jesus, addressing the group of disciples, “sternly order them not to tell anyone about him.” Jesus, aware of the popular political-religious understanding of the Messiah title, clarifies his mission as distinct from earthly power and domination. He is not the one who will defeat the Roman Emperor and established the Jews at the head of a universal reign. Therefore, he dissuades his disciples from fostering these expectations among the people.

Near Caesarea Philippi—center of earthly power—Jesus contrasts the earthly notions of power, arrogance and oppression with the true nature of his mission, which is one of humility, sacrifice, and service. Near a center of human arrogance, Jesus declares that he is not taking the way of power, violence and war, but the way of love, suffering and service: “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”  In Mark, there is not a “Peter’s confession”, but a revelation from Jesus about his own mission’s nature!

Jesus’ statements undoubtedly had a profound impact on the disciples. Once more, Peter directly engages Jesus. On this occasion, he takes Jesus aside and rebukes him, attempting to dissuade him from the path of suffering and death. Peter’s attitude highlights a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission, a misconception surely shared by the entire group, expecting a powerful Messiah to ascend to a throne and rule over the people.

Instead of receiving praise, as in Matthew’s Gospel, for acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, Peter is rebuked for his earthly/human perspective. In front of all the disciples, Jesus tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Peter is called Satan by Jesus—an adversary of God—because his actions reflect Satan’s attempts during the wilderness temptations to lead Jesus astray from God’s path. Peter embodies the essence of the third temptation in the wilderness, which is to pursue political power. Immediately following this exchange, Jesus proclaims publicly, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me..."

Sisters and brothers, near Caesarea Philippi—a center of earthly power, arrogance, and oppression—Jesus addresses his disciples regarding his impending future, not one of grandeur in a marble palace, but one of a cross. This teaching challenges the disciples’ expectations of a triumphant and mighty Messiah, highlighting the importance of self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and walking the path of sacrificial love and obedience alongside Jesus.

Jesus’ way is the way of the cross not of violence and war. Those who choose to follow Jesus must renounce the oppressive power that inflicts suffering on others, and instead, take up their cross as a sign of service and liberating power.

In today’s world, how would we respond to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Our actions, as Jesus’ disciples, will reflect our understanding of Jesus.  Near the centers of earthly power, do we have the courage to proclaim Jesus’ path? Are we willing to embrace the way of the cross?

May Jesus guide us towards humility, service, and solidarity. Let us willingly take our cross daily and walk in Jesus’ footsteps.

Amen.