Try This Quick Quiz

“So, who do people reckon I am?” Jesus’ query has all the flavour of a person wanting flattery, for his friends to tell him that he’s fabulous. It’s like when I have completed an irregular spasm of housework and spend the evening laying subtle hints to elicit a word of praise.

The disciples reply with what people are apparently saying about him: that he might be a reappearance of John the Baptist, or an echo, even an incarnation of one of the prophets from Israel’s history. It’s only when Jesus asks them who they think he is that Peter responds with an astonishing claim redolent with history, hope and faith – You are the Messiah!

So what’s that look like? We lift our eyes to the mighty and the heroic, and Jesus immediately disabuses us that he either wants praise, or identifies the Messiah with power and glory. Rejection, suffering, abuse and death are the hallmarks of this Messiah, followed by resurrection which, understandably, is hard to hear after the first part. Peter objects, just as we would, to think that the Messiah is recognised by suffering.

“Who am I?” Jesus asks us, and this passage from Mark’s Gospel lets us know precisely who Jesus is, by where we will find him.

Who am I? I am the student at school, who finds it hard enough to get to classes, let alone to learn, to build relationships and to succeed.

Who am I? I am the successful footballer, or the unknown small business owner, who battles with fragile mental health, who manages to hold down a job, to care for my family and to live my life.

Who am I? I am the young woman, broken by violence this week, who deserved protection and a life with hope and a future. I am the older woman, whose life has been bruised by violence and whose hope is all but extinguished and yet I have raised my children and loved them well.

Who am I? I am the refugee, searching desperately for a new life, far from the shattered remains of my old one. I am a child, I am an adult; I am Sudanese, I am Syrian, I am Rohingyan; I am a human being.

Who am I? I am the firefighter, risking my life to save others; serving my community by valuing the lives of my neighbours and people I will never know.

“And after three days, [he will] rise again.” Wherever Christ is present, suffering and death are not the last words spoken. There is healing for the broken; there will be justice for those who have been violated; hope will be more than a word to those who wrestle with life every day. And we are participants in this hope, witnesses to this promise.

We confront the violence and injustice, because we believe in resurrection – in this life and for the life to come.

Who am I? I am the crucified, risen Lord. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!