LIFE IN CHRIST
This begins a series on studies of the identity we have in Christ. At one point in our life, we most likely have wondered about our identity! People search for and attempt to find different ways to define their lives. One important way to identify ourselves and give our life meaning is in our family. Some find purpose in their work. Because we have been given free choice, it is possible to make life whatever we want. We can run into various roadblocks and find disappointments in our journey. The truth is that we only have real meaning and lasting purpose when our lives are grounded in Christ. Jesus’ identity is foundational to who we are. In Col. 1:16-17 it is stated: “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.” We may not have realized it or we have lost sight of the fact that all of life is wrapped up in Jesus.
Read Luke 9:18-20
In Matthew 16:13-27 and Mark 8:27-38, we find further context for this lesson’s Scripture. But only Luke places it in the context of Jesus’ prayer life. Here in Luke, Jesus discussion with His disciples occurred at Caesarea Philippi, which is the area north of Galilee near Mount Hermon. This region was re-named for Caesar Augustus and Philip- one of Herod’s sons- who built a temple in this location. It became the site of worship of the pagan god Pan. Jesus used this site as a contrasting location to what His disciples would soon discover about His identity. Jesus taught the disciples about Himself.
The people in general had not come to think of Jesus as the promised Messiah. They thought of Him as John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets (v. 19; also compare 9:7-8). Therefore, Peter’s confession was all the more significant. He declared Jesus to be God’s promised Messiah (“Christ” is Greek for the Hebrew “Messiah”). Messiah means the anointed one. Ancient kings were anointed. God had promised David that his throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7). After the fall of Judah and the end of David’s dynasty on an actual throne, the Jews looked for a future son of David to reestablish the reign of David’s family over Israel.
The Christian faith goes beyond knowing what others believe, it requires us to hold beliefs for ourselves. When Jesus asks: “Who do you say I am?” He wants us to take a stand. So who do we say Jesus is? The text does not reveal whether the other disciples said anything to Jesus’ more personal question. However, Peter answered clearly and unmistakably; Jesus was God’s Messiah. The word “Messiah” occurs about forty times in the Old Testament. Kings, priest, and prophets all received God’s anointing for His service. However, Jesus stands as God’s ultimate “Anointed One”. He was fulfillment of all three of these important offices. He fulfilled a prophetic ministry while on earth as He brought God’s message to His people (Matt. 21:10-11). He fulfilled the priestly office by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:10-14). He intercedes for now as our great High Priest in heaven (7:25). He fulfills the kingly role in that He hails from the line of David (Luke 1:32) and one day will return as Kings of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:11-16).
Read Luke 9:21-22
Peter was right; Jesus was the Christ of God (Matt. 16:17-19). Why then did Jesus instruct the twelve not to tell anyone? The problem was that most people were looking for one kind of Messiah, but Jesus had come to be a different kind of King. The popular idea of a messiah was a military leader and an economic benefactor. It was thought that He would deliver the Jews from Roman domination and restore Israel to a powerful nation. The Messiah would bring a time of prosperity. Many people had come to expect everything that was wrong to be set right when the Messiah came. Likely many Jewish people today are prevented from becoming a Christian because they still have that thought and that “messiah” has not come in their thinking.
What would have happened if the disciples had spread the word that Jesus was the Messiah at this point in time?
Jesus did not refer to Himself as Messiah. Instead He spoke of Himself, as had before, as the Son of man (5:24). Without using the title “Messiah”, He proceeded to declare the kind of “Messiah” He had come to be. He would be different from what the people were expecting. He “must suffer…be rejected…be killed…be raised.” Jesus seems to have combined two Old Testament ideas. On one hand, He saw Himself as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, on the other hand, He was the vindicated, triumphant Son of man of Daniel 7 (9:26). Beyond His suffering, rejection, and death was resurrection. Clearly the disciples were not expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead (24:11). As I pointed out last week, the disciples should not have been surprised because He had told them- but it seems they never heard it or were confused and just missed His words about resurrection. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark tell how Peter tried to rebuke Jesus for this prediction of death and resurrection, and Jesus in turn rebuked Peter (Matt. 22-23; Mark 8:32-33). Luke did not record this exchange, but he did show how the disciples misunderstood Jesus (9:45) and missed the whole point about cross-bearing (9:46). They confessed Jesus as the Christ, but at this stage in their understanding they thought He was the Messiah of popular Jewish expectations.
This was the turning point in Jesus’ instructions to His disciples. From then on He began teaching clearly and specifically what they could expect, so that they would not be surprised when it happened. He explained that He would not now be the conquering Messiah because He first had to suffer, die, and rise again. But one day He would return in great glory to set up His eternal kingdom.
Read Luke 9:23-26
To take up the cross meant to carry one’s own cross to the place of crucifixion. Many Galileans had been killed that way by the Romans- and Jesus would face it as well. With this word picture, Christ presented a clear and challenging description of the Christian life. Being His disciples means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s “cross” every day, and following Him. It is simple and yet so demanding- and we are not likely to success at this every moment. So whether we commit any other sin or not- if we don’t take up our cross for Christ every day, we have committed a sin. For the original Twelve, this meant literal suffering and death. For believers today, it seems understanding that we belong to Him and that we live to serve His purposes. Consider this: Do we think of our relationship with God primarily in terms of what’s in it for me or in terms of what we can do for Him? Anything less than taking our cross daily is not discipleship: it is merely superficial lip service (14:27). While it is hard not to think of this present life as important to us, we must think of the life hereafter as much more important.
Remember what I say: This life is the pre-life and the real life is to follow. We know that Jesus will raise us to eternal life. Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus’ disciples were not to use their lives on earth merely to please themselves. They should spend their lives serving God and others. So if we are to be disciples, we need to spend our lives in service for God.
Luke’s Greek audience would have had difficulty understanding a God who could die, just as Jesus’ Jewish audience would have been perplexed by a Messiah who would let Himself be captured and killed. Both would be ashamed of Jesus if they did not look past His death to His glorious resurrection and second coming (v.26). Then they would see Jesus, not as a loser, but as the Lord of the universe, who through His death brought salvation to those who believe.
A follower of Christ’s must be willing to die with Him and for Him. This primary meaning lies in the background of Jesus’ words about saving one’s life (v. 24) and being ashamed of Jesus (v. 26). However, the word “daily” in verse 23 shows that Jesus meant more than a willingness to endure martyrdom for His sake. A follower of Christ must be willing to live a cross-way-of-life day by day. Jesus meant more than what is often referred to as cross-bearing. He meant more than enduring some burden or trial over which we have little or no control. This is part of the Christian life, but it is not cross-bearing. Jesus was referring to a voluntary commitment to live by the principles of self-giving love.
Jesus’ words in verses 23-26 tie together what we learned from verses 18-20. Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah, and knowing who Jesus is essential to our responding. Following Jesus means willing to do what He commands- daily. As I began these thoughts, people find different ways to define their lives, but we only have real meaning and purpose when our lives are grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find our identity and purpose in Him.
