Who?

We've just celebrated Palm Sunday in church. Jesus' death and resurrection are much on our minds. So perhaps it's fitting that we're just getting to that part of our Bible study where Jesus begins to tell his disciples what's to come. First though, he asks them to put it all in context. Who do they really think he is? ... And who do we think he is?

(47) What’s in a Name?

Jesus is back in Galilee at last. Most commentators believe he’s heading south now on his final trip. He knows what’s waiting for him in Jerusalem, but his disciples don’t. We know, but let’s try to read this as if we’re just finding out…

First there’s another miracle. Having just asked his disciples why they still don’t understand, Jesus heals a blind man: Read Mark 8:22-26  Which recent miracle does it remind you of? (Read Mark 7:33)

1.       How are men like trees walking? How does this relate to things science has taught us about restored vision?

2.       The Pharisees asked for a sign. The people asked Jesus to touch the blind man? What’s the difference, and what do we ask for?

Heading a little further south, they reach a city that’s had many names—Panion, Caesarea, Caesarea Phiippi and later Neronias. Read Matthew 16:13, Mark 8:27, Luke 9:18

1.       Why does Jesus care who people say he is? How often do we remind ourselves of who he is?

2.       Did you notice who Jesus says he is in Matthew?

3.       Read Matthew 16:14, Mark 8:38, Luke 9:19 Who was John the Baptist?

a.       Who was Elijah? How is our world like Elijah’s world? Who might be modern Elijahs?

b.      Who was Jeremiah? How is our world like Jeremiah’s his world? Who might be modern Jeremiahs?

c.       What did prophets do and what usually happened to them?

d.      Who do non-believers say Jesus was today? What about cults and sort-of believers?

4.       Read Matthew 16:15-16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20

a.       What does “The Christ” mean?

b.      What does “The Living God” mean? There were non-Jewish “living gods,” but they didn’t survive…

5.       Read Matthew 16:17 When did you first feel compelled to answer Jesus’ question, and how was your answer revealed to you?

6.       Read Matthew 16:18, John 1:42 Did you know Simon means someone who listens and Peter means stone?

a.       What would you rather be: a tree, a rock, a listener…?

b.      They’re in a place that changes names, so changing Peter’s name is natural. But is a rock always good? Can you think of times when Peter was more of a stumbling block?

c.       Why might Matthew be the only one recording Peter as the “foundation stone” of the church?

7.       Read Matthew 16:19, 18:18 What has this got to do with rocks?

a.       Rabbis used binding and loosing to refer to tightening up and relaxing the interpretation of law. Can you think of times when Jesus “bound and loosed” the law (think Sermon on the Mount)?

b.      Given how the Pharisees have complained about the disciples’ disobedience to law, why might binding and loosing be important as Jesus contemplates leaving his disciples?

c.       If binding and loosing concerns law, what might the keys be? Keys to the church, the kingdom of heaven, the interpretation of law? Or all of the above?

d.      Is this gift given only to Peter? How do our churches, or we personally bind and loose laws?

We all know what comes next. Peter, who has just been declared the rock, the keeper of the keys, the one with authority to bind and loose, is about to be called Satan! But we’ll look at that next time.