In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm a violent storm, all supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, his words and deeds produced confusion followed by the question – “Who is this man?” Only at his execution on Golgotha did a human being begin to understand who he was.
This ironic storyline occurs often in the Gospel of Mark,
and it leads to a stunning conclusion - Until his crucifixion, no man or woman acknowledged
him as the “Son of God.” He was only recognized as the Son by the demons
he cast out and the heavenly voice heard at his baptism and the
Transfiguration.
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| [Photo by Cdoncel on Unsplash] |
That voice proclaimed him the beloved “Son.” Later, when he began to exorcise demons, the “unclean spirits” understood him to be the “Son of God,” though whenever they made any outcry he silenced them - “for they knew who he was.”
In contrast, the men of the Jewish nation proved incapable of comprehending
his identity or mission, including members of his immediate family, and even his
inner circle of disciples. After casting out one demon, amazed, the crowd “began
to discuss among themselves, saying, What is this?” - (Mark 1:10-11,
1:24-34, 5:7).
Following his miraculous calming of a storm, the disciples asked one
another, “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” They were
even more fearful after Jesus commanded the storm to desist than they were
during the storm. Even a display of power of that magnitude proved insufficient
to open their eyes - (Mark 1:27, 4:41).
Later, while on the verge of grasping his identity, Peter declared,
“You are the Messiah.” However, when Jesus explained that his calling meant
suffering, rejection, and death, Peter “began to rebuke him.”
Whatever momentary glimmer of insight he had disappeared at the first mention
of a suffering Messiah.
The idea of Israel’s Messiah being crucified by her enemies was
inconceivable to a devout and patriotic Jew, yet Jesus reacted by sharply reprimanding
Peter: “Withdraw behind me, Satan, because you are not regarding the things
of God but the things of men!” - (Mark 8:29-32).
Only at his death did one man recognize him, and rather ironically, none other than a Roman centurion who very likely supervised his execution. When Jesus breathed his last, the pagan officer declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
The centurion perceived what none of the religious leaders of
Israel or even his own disciples could. Only when he was dying on the cross did
someone understand. Thus, there is no Christianity without Christ, and
there is no saving faith or knowledge apart from Christ Crucified.
DISCIPLESHIP
The Apostle Paul presented the submission of Jesus to a shameful
death on the Roman cross as the paradigm for Christian conduct, especially in
the Assembly. The Son of God “poured himself out, taking the form of a slave.”
He humbled himself by becoming “obedient as far as death, even death upon a
cross.” This became the ultimate example of right conduct for his disciples
- (Philippians 2:6-11).
Paul’s statement alludes to the description of the suffering ‘Servant
of Yahweh’ in the Book of Isaiah. The Servant of the LORD would “justify many and bear their iniquities… Because HE POURED OUT HIS SOUL UNTO DEATH was
numbered with the transgressors, yet he bore the sin of many and made intercession
for the transgressors” – (Isaiah 53:11-12).
To follow Jesus requires reconfiguring one’s life into conformity with
his teachings and deeds. This pattern goes back to the Nazarene himself when he
taught that the “disciple is
not above the teacher, nor a slave above his master… He that does not take his
cross and follow me is not worthy of me” - (Matthew 10:24-38).
One day, when his disciples were disputing which of them would be
the “greatest” in the Kingdom of God, Jesus admonished them, and like
Paul, he alluded to the song of the suffering “Servant”:
- “Not so is it to be among you, but whoever shall desire to become great among you shall be your minister, and whosoever shall desire to be first among you shall be your slave: just as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM INSTEAD OF MANY.”
Both Paul and Jesus understood the Messiah to be the “Servant
of Yahweh.” Moreover, in his domain, true “greatness” is achieved
only through humility and self-sacrificial service to others.
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| [Dusk - Photo by Martin Brechtl on Unsplash] |
To follow "the Lamb wherever he goes" necessitates living a life of service, submission to the will of the Father, a willingness to suffer for him and his people, and acts of mercy especially for one’s opponents and persecutors.
Jesus cannot be understood only or even primarily by his miracles.
It is in his sacrificial death for others that we begin to perceive who he is, the
nature of his mission, and what it means to follow him.
SEE ALSO:
- The Son of Man - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his authority)
- Opposition Begins - (Jesus began to proclaim the Gospel following the arrest of John, foretaste of the opposition that would plague his ministry – Mark 1:14-15)