From Forward Day by Day
Mark 8:29 Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”
Jesus had taken his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, one of the trading cities to the north of Jerusalem. It was a bustling city, alive with the hustle of commerce and the sounds of the worship of many gods. Why did Jesus go there to ask this question of Peter?
Several years ago, I had the chance to visit this place on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Today it is in ruins, but back in Jesus’ time it was glittery with gold and precious things. I understood then that Jesus asked this question in the midst of the frenzy of all the things that might compete with him: money, other religions, and busy work. To accept Jesus as Messiah is to accept him over and above all things.
We might like to think of Jesus as just a teacher, or a friend, or a nice person, or warm fuzzy presence. We might like to think we can follow him and also care about money and busy work. But we are called, like Peter, to proclaim him as Messiah. Our Messiah saves us from all the other cares and trials of this world.
