Identity Revealed ...

A “Monday morning quarterback” has the advantage of knowing the end of the game, and how it arrived at that conclusion.  They see the fumbles that got in their way.  They see the completions that marked their advance.  And they regret the decisions they made when facing the unknown, that in retrospect turned out to be the wrong ones.  But with the perspective of knowing these things, what a different series of events might have been possible.  Plays and decisions that “at the time” would have looked crazy, might have just been the very things that would have altered the outcome of the game.  Coaches, fans, and the TV audience looking on, without the perspective of knowing these events, would decidedly NOT have understood the call while the game was in motion.  But later, all the coaches, fans, and audience members would have cheered the outcome, and come to believe the “Monday morning quarterback” had to have been a prophetic genius to have made those calls.  How alike that is, with how our God works with us in this life.  He already knows the ending, when it will come, and what is important to accomplish before that day.  Some of the calls He makes, look crazy to us.  But in the end, when life is eternal for us once again, we will cheer His calls, and praise His foreknowledge, in the mission of redeeming us unto Himself.

When Peter began his recollection of the gospel to John Mark, He already knew the end of the story.  And He knew where the debate continued to rage.  The “mystery” of the identity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of the Living God, was now known to Peter, and no longer in any question.  But the stubborn Jewish religious leadership could not come to admit this idea.  And what was the original established religion by Christ, given to Moses in the desert, had now officially adopted the position of being the enemy of Christ.  The long awaited hope of the Messiah, had been perverted into a “land grab” that would drive out the Romans, and assert world-wide domination for the Jews.  The idea that the Messiah would have bigger ambitions, in the saving of every soul on earth, even those of Roman blood, was simply unthinkable.  So “evidence” of the identity of Jesus Christ had to be covered up.  To dispute the words of men would be easy enough, simply call them liars, and attempt to enter a “he said / she said” debate.  But personal witnesses to “evidence” of the true identity of Jesus Christ, would be MUCH harder to refute.  Peter knew this.  And Peter had no interest in prolonging a debate he knew had already been settled.  So in the brevity of his recollection with John Mark, he provides evidence after evidence after evidence of the Truth of Jesus Christ, and “who” He really was.

Mark continues the recollections of Peter as he writes in verse 9 … “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”  Peter was not there in person at that event, his brother Andrew was.  Peter does not recount the speech by John the Baptist expressing his own unworthiness to baptize the Lord, or frankly the lack of “need” as Jesus was sinless throughout His entire life.  John the Baptist craved the baptism of the Holy Spirit that he knew only Jesus could actually offer him.  But to serve as our example, Jesus goes forward with the traditional baptism by John in the dirty river of the Jordan, in front of the crowds who have gathered.  The crowds were paying special attention to this baptism, as up to now, they had never seen John greet a parishioner in this way.  Announcing Him to be the Lamb of God, and publicly stating there was no need to be baptized.  So the eyes of the crowd were intent on this particular case.

Mark continues in verse 10 … “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: [verse 11] And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Imagine the “shock” in the crowd.  For the first and only time ever, a baptism is followed by the heavens parting and the Spirit of God descending on the head of Jesus in the form of a dove.  Not just an ordinary bird, but one covered in brilliant light.  This would not be mistaken for a homing pigeon, or pet of Jesus, this was clearly a supernatural event.  And if the dove of brilliant light and unmistakable presence was not enough, it is followed by a voice from heaven stating plainly for all to hear … “Thou are my beloved Son” … the voice of God the Father affirming the very identity of Jesus Christ.  Only the long awaited Messiah “could” ever be the only Son of God.  Only “this man” Jesus standing wet still in the river itself, was ever affirmed by God as His much loved and only Son.  And further, our God affirms his pleasure in the 30 years of the life of Christ to this point.  Peter has here offered the greatest “proof” there would ever be as to the identity of Jesus Christ.  What greater witness could there ever be, than God the Father, and the Holy Spirit themselves?  Here is the testimony of 2 witnesses.

Mark continues in verse 12 … “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. [verse 13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”  Peter does not dive into the details of this event either.  Perhaps it is because he is only recalling it to further establish the identity of Jesus Christ.  “Immediately” upon rising from the waters Jesus is “driven” by the Spirit into the wilderness.  No time to eat, rest up, prepare and get ready.  The time for temptation will never be a convenient one, where careful planning will help us avoid it.  No, the devil looks for our weakest moments, not our strongest ones.  He is a hunter who preys on the weak.  Forty days without sustenance, or companionship, will so weaken Jesus Christ that He will be at the point of death for these temptations.  At the end of these events, it will take angels to minister unto Jesus, or he would have died of exposure, starvation, and dehydration.  This event was not intended to be something we are to emulate.  It was to put the Son of God in His human form into the weakest state humanity could sustain (right before death), and allow only then for the devil to present temptations of ease, and alternate ways to save us.  Having resisted, Jesus collapses, and angels keep what little life remains in Him to sustain Him.  When Jesus returns to Galilee He is so emaciated, almost no one recognizes Him.  Angels as well, now attest as to the identity of Jesus Christ.

John Mark continues writing in verse 14 … “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [verse 15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”  Peter summarizes the remainder of the real mission of the Messiah and believes it begins immediately following these events.  Even ahead of having disciples, Peter believes the Messiah has begun His work for our redemption.  And thus far, Peter has offered the word of God the Father as to the identity of Jesus Christ.  Peter has also offered the interest of the devil himself, in tempting the Messiah to fail in His mission by pursuing an alternative means.  So from Peter’s perspective, both God and the devil, have affirmed who Jesus Christ is.

Mark continues in verse 16 … “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. [verse 17] And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. [verse 18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”  John Mark records Peter’s participation in these events under his original name “Simon”.  He also extends the invitation of Christ to become fishers of men to Andrew Peter’s brother, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist.  John Mark offers that “straightway” they forsook their nets, not elaborating on the miracle Christ offered Peter in catching fish after he had failed on his own.  He does not recount the initial disbelief that following the directions of Jesus would yield a different result;  though these events are recalled in other gospels.  But the intent of these verses is to establish the witnesses of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew as they enter the story.

Mark continues in verse 19 … “And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. [verse 20] And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.”  James and John were sometimes known as the “sons of thunder”.  Perhaps Zebedee had earned this reputation from his voice, or from his “colorful” language when expressing displeasure.  Peter takes note of the lineage here. 

But he also recounts that following Jesus Christ was not something to be done after careful consideration, planning, and attending to other matters to make ready.  The four of his first disciples, left everything they owned, knew, or were familiar with to “follow” Jesus Christ.  They had no idea where they were going.  They had no idea what they would be doing, other than perhaps to gather others to their cause.  They had no money, brought no food.  They were promised no reward.  What they would do, where, and how, were all going to be up to Jesus Christ.  “They” were simply going to be there “with” Jesus as events would unfold.  Jesus would be doing all the “real” work.  They would be watching what He did.  They would be observing and attending to Jesus in any way He asked.  There was no advanced agenda, or preplanned curricula, or predefined list of activities, goals, and accomplishments.

How unlike us!  We want to know every particular before we make a decision, and even then, we vacillate endlessly.  We promise God, or claim to follow Christ, but only as it suits our own convenience and preferences.  We are not prepared or inclined to leave everything we know, everything we are familiar with.  We cling to our families, our jobs and careers, and particularly our things.  Our “version” of following Jesus Christ distills down to “admitting” we are Christian … only when asked.  We will occasionally part with our tithes and offerings, but only as we are “able” to give, rarely when we are “unable”.  Perhaps there is a good reason why modern Christians are not known as “disciples”, but rather just as “believers”.

Peter has set the stage in his recollections to John Mark.  He has been brief in the events that lead up to the ministry of Jesus Christ.  But he has also been very conscience of revealing the identity of Jesus Christ in every passage and text.  There is no real mystery as to who Jesus was and is.  The doubts that may linger in the minds of those who refuse to believe are there by choice.  Keep in mind, that Jesus has thus far not proclaimed Himself to be the Son of God.  Others have proclaimed Jesus so.  The message of Jesus was that the time is at hand, the prophecies are being fulfilled in living 3D color, and that the gospel of the kingdom of God has arrived.  Repentance; like the message of John who preceded Him, is still the first step towards our salvation and the message that Jesus Christ brings to His hearers.  Jesus has gathered disciples who He will teach to become fishers of men.  The stage is set, the ministry will begin immediately, and “who” He is, can hardly be contained …