Understanding Who Jesus Is

Mount Hermon, located just north of Israel, has a long history of pagan worship. In ancient
times it was viewed as the home of Baal, the god who represented one of the most serious
challenges to Israel’s status as the Lord’s people. In the intertestamental period, Mount
Hermon was understood to be the home of the Nephilim, also known as the Rephidim. These giants were believed to be demonic agents who corrupted mankind by teaching them arts and skills that were not meant for humans to be involved in.

When Alexander the Great was conquering the ancient world, the Greeks identified with the pagan lore of Mount Hermon. They adopted the site as a center of Greek pagan worship. The Romans came later and followed suit with their gods. The name, Caesarea Philippi, has obvious connections to Roman rule.

Today the site still shows some of the signs of its evil past. There are niches carved out of the base of the mountain where man-made idols were displayed and worshipped.

It was to this location that Jesus took His disciples. They were going to a place of the “gods” and there was something important He wanted them to know and contemplate.

And on the way He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
(Mark 8:27)

This was a very important question because the entire ministry of Jesus was focused on
demonstrating that He was not an ordinary man—He was God’s Son. His teaching and His
miracles all pointed to this truth. The disciples responded to the question Jesus asked by
identifying some of the speculations of people.

And they told Him, “John, the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of
the prophets.” (Mark 8:28)

Even though He asked the question, it seemed Jesus was not especially interested in the
answer. What He really wanted to know was what the disciples thought. They had been with Him, had seen His miracles, and had heard His teaching. What impact did these have on them and their understanding of Him?

And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You
are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)

It was the right answer, but the time was not right for making His identity known, so Jesus told them not share this important information with anyone.

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain. There is disagreement
about the identity of the mountain, but there are not very many high mountains in Israel. Most of the “high” mountains would be considered hills. But one high mountain was very close by: Mount Hermon, so that is the likely site for the next step in the Lord’s revelation of His identity.

As they were on the high mountain,
He was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely
white, as no one on earth could bleach them. (Mark 9:2, 3)

This must have been very impressive. But wait, there’s more…

And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses and they were talking with Jesus.
(Mark 9:4)

Peter again had something to say, but, while it represented good intensions, it was rash and
foolish. Perhaps he can be excused because of the intensity and awesomeness of what he was experiencing. Mark tells us that his outburst happened because Peter and the other disciples were terrified. It really was that kind of experience. But the terror was not over.

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my
beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw
anyone with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:7, 8)

What the people thought about the identity of Jesus was interesting and revealing, but it did not matter all that much. What the disciples thought was more interesting, more important, more revealing, and it mattered greatly. But it took a revelation from God to complete their understanding.

In the end, the real answer to the question of who Jesus of Nazareth was came not from men, not from the disciples. It came from God. His understanding of the identity of Jesus was perfect because He had sent Jesus to Earth as the fulfillment of His plan that was formed before the foundation of the earth. It is true wisdom to adopt God’s perspective on who Jesus of Nazareth was. Adopting God’s perspective will have a profound impact on how we think and live.

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one
what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:9)

Today we know the Son of Man has risen from the dead, so we are able to tell others who Jesus of Nazareth was and is and always will be.

Jay Swisher