Peter's Declaration  (Mark chp 8)

When Jesus and his disciples were walking to Caesarea Philippi, he asked them who people said he was.  And they told him that some thought that he was John the Baptist, some thought that he was Elijah, and others thought that he was one of the prophets.  He then asked them directly who they thought he was.  Peter responded that he was the Christ.  Jesus told them not to tell anyone about this, and continued that he would have to undergo suffering and even death, but that he would rise on the third day.  Peter rebuked him for saying this, but Jesus responded by saying that he did not face an easy mission, and in the same way, his true followers would face many difficult situations - they would also have to be prepared to 'take up their cross', and follow Jesus, even if this meant facing death as a result of their beliefs.

Themes

• Who do people say that I am? - Identity - Jesus wants to know who the people at large think he is.  It seems that they do not understand his true identity, whereas Peter (one of the disciples) is able to answer the question correctly.  However, even Peter doesn't really seem to understand what this means - he is told to keep quiet.
  
• Trouble ahead - Jesus predicts his own suffering and death, and even goes so far as to say that his disciples must be prepared to face similar punishments, if they are to be true followers.  Like in the story of the rich young man, Jesus is saying that following him will not always be easy.
  
  

Contemporary Issues

• Hopes/expectations for the future.
  
• Difficulties which the future holds.
• How other people see you.

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The Transfiguration  (Mark chp 9)

Jesus went to the top of a high mountain with James and John, and he was transfigured in front of their eyes.  His clothes turned glistening white - so white that it would have been impossible to bleach them such a pure colour.  Moses and Elijah also appeared, and talked with Jesus.  In his fright at the vision, Peter offered to make three tents - one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus.  A cloud then rested over them, and God's voice spoke out of it.  He said, "This is my own Son.  Listen to him".  The vision then passed, and the disciples were left alone with Jesus.  As they were coming down from the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until he had risen from the dead - but they did not understand what he meant when he talked of rising from the dead.

Themes

• Supernatural Sight - as part of an amazing vision, Jesus' clothes turned whiter than they could have been bleached by any earthly person.  Elijah and Moses (both great Old Testament prophets) also appeared on the scene.
• Voice of God - God spoke out of the cloud, and confirmed the identity and power of Jesus (like at the moment of his baptism in the River Jordan).
• Disciples didn't understand - neither James nor John really understood what was going on at the transfiguration.  Neither did they know what Jesus meant when he talked of rising from the dead.  This is why they were told to tell no one- if they themselves didn't understand, the people at large would have no chance!
  
  

Contemporary Issues

• Visions - do they happen today?
  
• How does God speak to his people today?
• What makes us sit up and listen?
• Difficulties of receiving information 'in confidence', and keeping a secret.
  

Revision

Why was Jesus concerned with who people thought he was?