In this life, there are “pivotal”-“critical”-“important moments-in-time, this is one of them!
It is important to note that Jesus and the twelve are in Caesarea of Philip or Caesarea Philippi – because it was hands down the seat of the greatest power of his time, outside of Rome itself.
In the Middle East, this is THE city.
It is there, that Jesus is simply wondering about his public persona. Not that he is wondering who he is. Not that he is questioning himself or his values. Nor is he taking stock of himself.
Jesus is not testing the disciples, either.
At that time, people did not self-define. Instead they took their identity from “others.” How the family saw you, was exceedingly important.
Are you the trouble maker? Are you the smart one?
Are you the rebellious one? Are you tough as nails?
Are you the black sheep? Are you kind?
Are you the favored one? Have you done well for yourself? Were you the lazy one?
Are you the smart one? The cute one? The nice one?
The odd one? The crazy one? The comedian? Are you the responsible one? Are you the peacemaker?
Are you the good one? Are you the emotionally strong one? Or, are you the troubled one?
What do others say about you? How have they defined you?
For the record, I want you to remember that Jesus’ immediate family thought that he might be demon possessed himself, he was beside himself. At one point they came in group to take him back home.
Jesus was asking the questions, because it did matter what others said about him.
In the honor/shame society you could not make claims for yourself. To do so would only bring you personal shame and embarrassment. But you were honored by asking what others said about you. This, brought you, honor.
So, if Jesus was going to make a political move, Caesarea Philippi was the perfect city for some kind of major announcement.
The disciples were expectant. They were waiting. They were holding their breaths…
Instead what he asks is a common enough question.
He is humbly searching and seeking.
We know further that he has already abandoned how he was identified by his family. He is no longer, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary. According to Peter and to the others, he will now be defined as Messiah. Jesus has just been told that he is the king of the heap. He has been greatly honored. His personal stock has just gone up…
So now the focus shifts…
What kind of Messianic figure will he be?
Will he follow the path that leads to power?
Would he be the kind of messianic figure who will be a conqueror? Will he restore Israel to its former glory days? Will he become militaristic and battle the Romans?
Jesus has to come to grips with who he will allow or let – define him.
Will it be the Jerusalem elite?
The Temple elite?
The High Priest and the scribes?
The people?
Jesus was well aware of Daniel chapter 7. He knew the passage well. It resonated with him.
In verses 13 and 14 it says: “As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a human being
Coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.
To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, all peoples, nations and languages should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away…and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.”
But at the very same time, Jesus was aware of the suffering servant passages of Isaiah. A servant who suffers?
Everyone knew that Messiahs do not suffer. That is absurd. The messiah is the holy one of God. God would never allow a messiah to suffer. The nation maybe, but never the messiah…
Which path would he pursue?
Servant-hood ridicules power, it completely undercuts it. It mocks power. There is no competition.
In his heart of hearts, Jesus knows what he will be and just how he will proceed. This is about the people of God, it is about the glory of God, it is not about him.
For Jesus only one path was possible, it had to be the way of servant-hood…servant-hood for the entire people of God.
His path was now clear.