Commentary
Having
the Right Answer. Is It Enough?
The
Gospel readings selected for the previous two Sundays prepared us for
today's passage.
Two
weeks ago, Mark portrayed Jesus as the great preacher. He outsmarted
the Pharisees and scribes who questioned him.
Last
week, Mark showed us Jesus' power in his miracles. The witnesses
acclaimed, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear
and the mute speak.”
By
human standards, Jesus is now at the height of his success and
popularity.
This
explains why people think he might be John the Baptist, Elijah, or
one of the prophets.
Then
the location where Jesus asks his disciples the question of who he is
adds another twist to the conversation. This conversation takes
place while they are on their way to the villages
of Caesarea Philippi. The city was built by the ruler of the area to
be his capital. He named it after Caesar Augustus, his political
patron. But there was another city already named Caesarea. So to
distinguish his new city, the ruler added a second name to it. And
the ruler's name happened to be Philip. He in fact named the city
after himself.
In
the vicinity of this city of worldly political power and alliance,
Jesus asks the disciples if they know who he is. Peter knows Jesus'
title, “You are the Christ.” Yet, Peter does not understand what
that means.
What
is my answer if Jesus asks me today, “Who do you say that I am?”
And do I know what my answer means? And am I ready for it?
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