Who Jesus really is

Who is Jesus, really?

The disciples should have known. But somehow, they didn’t.

It should have been clear to them after Jesus fed the 5000. But after Jesus calmed the storm, it’s clear that they still didn’t really know. (Mark 6:51-52)

It should have been clear after he fed the 4000. But even after that, it still wasn’t.

When Jesus warned them against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, they thought he was referring to the fact that they had no bread.

And so Jesus said,

Why are you discussing the fact you have no bread?

Don’t you understand or comprehend? Do you have hardened hearts? Do you have eyes and not see; do you have ears and not hear? (Mark 8:17-18)

What did they not see, hear, or understand?

That Yahweh himself was in their midst.

The same Yahweh that fed the Israelite bread in the desert (Exodus 16), the same Yahweh that calmed the sea (Jonah 1:13-16, Psalm 107:27-30), the same Yahweh with the shepherd’s heart for his people (Psalm 23, Mark 6:34, 8:2-3) was the same Yahweh who was with them now.

Was it any wonder the joy Jesus felt when Peter finally got it, proclaiming him as the Messiah, the Son of the living God? (Mark 8:29; Matthew 16:16)

But even so, Peter’s comprehension was incomplete and he ultimately tried to contradict his Lord’s words (Mark 8:32-33).

How about us? Do we realize that in Jesus, Yahweh is truly with us?

That when we are in need, he will provide?

That when the storms of life hit, he will bring us through?

That when he speaks, we are to believe and follow no matter what?

Or does he look at us in amazement, and say, “Don’t you understand yet?” (Mark 8:21)