Thomas J Parlette
“People Are Talking”
Mark 8: 27-38
9/12/21
When people were talking about something in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, it’s pretty likely that Larry King was the one asking the questions. King died this past January after a long and distinguished career in broadcasting. He was probably the most well-known interviewer of his time, credited with over 50,000 interviews over the course of his career.
Back when Larry King was celebrating the 40th anniversary of his broadcasting debut, the tables were turned. He became the interviewee instead of the interviewer. Bryant Gumbel had the honor of asking King some interesting questions about his life and career. Possibly the most interesting question came at the conclusion of the show when Gumbel asked, “What questions would you ask God, if God were a guest on your show?”
Well, you could see Larry King’s eyes light up as the master interviewer’s mind was flooded with potential questions, but the first question out of his mouth was “Do you have a son?”
Although Larry King claims to be an agnostic, he understands the importance of asking that question first. Establishing Jesus’ identity, asking “Who is this?” – that is the first question. And it’s a particularly good question to consider this morning as we begin a new program year here at church.
That’s certainly the question that has people talking in this passage from Mark today. We are at the beginning of a section of Mark’s gospel that many scholars believe is the central section of Mark’s story. Leading up to today’s passage, Mark has used two chapters to tell us such stories as the feeding of the 4,000 and the feeding of the 5000. The reaction to these miracles was that the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign. I wonder, what else did they need to see? What kind of sign did they want? Wasn’t it enough of a sign to feed 10,000 or so people? The Pharisees have eyes – but they can’t see. They are blind to who Jesus really is and why he has come.
Then the disciples enter the picture. After Jesus feeds the multitudes, the disciples are in a boat with him and they only have one loaf of bread, and the disciples express concern about how they will all eat from one loaf.
Now, they’ve just seen Jesus feed all those people – twice – and now they’re wondering how they will make it with one loaf for 12 guys.
I can see Jesus sitting there, utterly amazed. “Come on guys! Are you kidding me!” Even his own disciples could not see. They just didn’t get it. Their eyes are still closed to the truth of who he is.
So now we move into a new section of stories. You might call the theme of this section “on the way”- because Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. And while he is on the way, Jesus is trying to open his disciples’ eyes. He is trying to show them who he is. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus is slowly re-defining what the word “messiah” means. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus literally opens people’s eyes.
Mark makes this point by telling stories in which Jesus actually opens blind eyes. This section begins with a story about Jesus opening the eyes of a blind man in Bethsaida, and two chapters later it concludes with the healing of another blind man – Bartimaeus.
“Seeing” and “Opening the eyes of the blind” are very important themes for Mark in this part of the story. He wants us to see something about Jesus. Jesus may be able to open the eyes of the physically blind in this section of Mark’s gospel, but he is unable to open the eyes of his own disciples to who he is and what it means to be the “Messiah.”
And so we come to this story for today. Jesus and his disciples have come to the villages of Caesarea Phillipi – a beautiful little town with lovely green meadows and little streams running through the countryside, a perfect spot to spread out a blanket and have a picnic. Dominating the town of Caesarea Phillipi was an enormous shrine, carved out of the side of a mountain, dedicated to the Greek god, Pan. This shrine had dozens of little alcoves where many other gods were honored with small statues and other artifacts. As Jesus and his disciples arrive in Caesarea Phillipi, Jesus is aware that people are talking. And he is wondering what they are saying. So, in the shadow of this monument to all the gods of the day, Jesus asks them – “Who do people say that I am?”
Some say you are John the Baptist – a rather outlandish idea since John the Baptist was dead.
Some say you are Elijah – an even more outlandish answer since there was no bigger prophet than Elijah, only Moses shared that kind of status. Elijah was the one who was going to return and defeat the enemies of Israel and save God’s people. Quite a statement that people were saying Jesus was Elijah.
Still others say you are one of the prophets – probably the safest answer of all, because that was a way of saying that people thought Jesus was simply a wise teacher, inspired by God.
Ok. I imagine sitting there, nodding his head in response to their answers for a couple of seconds. Then Jesus poses another question – “But who do YOU say that I am?”
Here is a spot in the gospels where I have always thought there was a long pause. The disciples stand there, awkwardly shuffling their feet and kicking at the ground, looking at each other and shrugging their shoulders. Peter finally offers the tentative reply – “You are the Messiah.”
Yes! – finally, good answer Peter. It’s about time, the disciples just might be getting it. This is the first glimmer of hope that maybe their eyes were beginning to open and they were starting to realize who Jesus is.
This is a turning point in Mark’s story. We are at the exact middle of the story here in Chapter 8, and from now on, everything moves quickly toward Jerusalem and the cross. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah is an important moment.
But something is not quite right. After Peter makes his confession, Jesus orders them not to tell anyone – at least not yet. Because they don’t know the whole story. They don’t have all the facts. Not yet. Jesus goes on to tell them what’s going to happen in Jerusalem. That he will suffer, be rejected and killed and that he will rise again on the third day.
Now all this was just too much for Peter. He took Jesus aside and “rebuked him.” In other words, Peter scolded Jesus for talking this way. If he was the Messiah, these things must not happen, indeed they could not happen – because if the Messiah were to suffer, be rejected and die – well, then – by definition, he would not be the Messiah. The Messiah would bring victory and glory – not suffering and defeat.
But Jesus fires right back and rebukes Peter. In no uncertain terms he lets Peter know that he is wrong about what “Messiah” means. You see, Peter was right in principle – but he was wrong in context. He got the job title right – Jesus is the Messiah. But he got the job description wrong – the Messiah is not bringing glory and victory. The Messiah will bring sacrifice and service. Jesus is re-defining the picture of what a Messiah looks like, and what a Messiah will do. The Messiah will not come riding a white stallion and carrying a golden sword. No – the Messiah will come on a donkey carrying a basin of water and a towel. The Messiah will come, not to conquer, but to serve.
Peter knows who Jesus is – that’s the first question. He’s the Messiah, he got that part right.
But Peter doesn’t understand yet what the Messiah has come to do. He can’t accept the idea that the Messiah is coming to suffer, take up a cross and die.
Peter is still caught up in “glory thinking.” He and the other disciples are still thinking about their place with Jesus in the coming Kingdom. They will be winners, enjoying the spoils of victory.
But Jesus is talking about a different kind of thinking. Jesus is talking about “cross thinking” – the cross he is heading towards, and the cross that his followers must take up. If you’re going to follow me on this way, open your eyes and see what that means. The path to life is sacrifice – not glory.
Jesus presents a completely new picture of what it means to be the Christ. The Messiah, the Christ, will be the one who suffers. God says in effect:
“I am God revealed in Jesus. I am a God who must suffer.
I suffer in order to share in your sufferings.
I identify with you when you suffer.
I will walk with you when you suffer and raise you on the third day.
I will walk with you in your trials and bring you to new life.
I will die with you when you die and bring you with me to eternal life.”
Jesus presents a whole new picture of Messiah.
Back in 1999, when everyone was thinking of ways to celebrate the new millennium, The National Catholic Reporter announced an interesting contest for artists. To celebrate the new millennium, they hosted a contest to discover a bold new image of Jesus. Everyone was welcome to enter any visual medium – computer art, stained glass, silk screen, photographs – whatever they wanted. The only criteria were “there ought to be something new that we haven’t seen before.” Michael Farrel, the editor of the magazine at the time, came up with the idea because he was frustrated that the year 2000 was being dominated by survivalists, doomsayers and the Y2K computer bug – remember that? He said, “Nobody is talking about Jesus right now. Until our time, Jesus was always the most popular subject for our artists. I hope this contest will be a step towards changing that. And thus, the Jesus 2000 contest was born.
And the idea was a success. On the front cover of the December 24th, 1999, issue of the National Catholic Reporter was the winning image – submitted by Janet McKenzie, it was called “Jesus of the People.” It’s the picture in your bulletin today, or I invite you to take a closer look at a print I have set up in the Atrium. As you can see, it is not the more anglicized Jesus that most of us grew up with. This image of Jesus is decidedly more Middle Eastern, more African in its influences. It’s quite a different picture of Jesus than we are used to – and if we’re honest, it’s probably closer to the truth about what Jesus actually looked like. At the time, it sure got people talking about Jesus. It still generates discussion even 21 years later.
Jesus once said to his disciples, “I know people are talking. What are they saying? Who do people say that I am?”
John the Baptist… Elijah… One of the prophets.
And who do YOU say that I am.
You are the Messiah.
Yes, you are right. Now let me paint you a new picture of Messiah that will keep people talking. So, take up your cross, and follow me.
May God be Praised. Amen.
