“But you, who do you say I am?” Jesus, of his disciples, in Mark 8:27-38.
“Who in the hell does he think he is?” Joe Biden, of Donald Trump.
Today’s Gospel is set in Caesarea Philippi, the city rebuilt by Philip the Tetrach, son of Herod the Great, which served as the capital of his own tetrachy and was called by his own name to differentiate from Caesarea, the centre of the Roman government. It was a centre for pagan worship of the gods Pan, Baal and the emperor, as well as a place of immorality and worldly power, so it’s an appropriate setting as Jesus asks who people think he is. The disciples reply that some say he is John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets but when he asks the disciples who they think he is, Peter replies that he is the Messiah.
The notion of the Messiah for the Jews in the time of Jesus was of a great leader from the house of David, an anointed king who would free Israel from their Gentile invaders and restore independence. When Peter says this, Jesus speaks instead of the cross, of rejection and suffering. Although from the house of David, Jesus has shown no interest in regal or political power and, skirmishes with the Pharisees being many, he has yet not had dealings with the Romans. Clearly, Peter and the disciples don’t understand what is unfolding before them – is that why Jesus tells them to say nothing about him?
As Peter argues with him, Jesus rebukes him harshly in front of the other disciples and speaks of them taking up the cross and following him in the suffering that lies ahead. But this is not just embracing the trials of life and the suffering that can be part of daily life – Jesus asks them to do this for his sake and for the sake of the gospel as well as the consequences of faithfully following him, whatever that may involve. A hard choice indeed, but one which could – and did – change the world.
That same challenge and hard choice continues to face Jesus’ followers today as their purpose and identity clarifies through service as well as example. As the difficult choices of the American presidential election campaigns develop and the battle for worldly power continues in Washington, it may be that Joe Biden’s question is being asked not only of Donald Trump but that similar queries are being made of us too. It may also be that we are asking this of others and the response may have heavenly consequences as well as hellish challenges. In whichever case, much rests on the reply and in whatever lies ahead.
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.