Jesus stops to check in with his disciples on this journey to Jerusalem. Perhaps to understand what people are expecting and how they are reacting. Maybe as part of the “apprenticeship programme” the disciples are undertaking.
His question, “Who do people say I am?” has an easy answer. The disciples rattle off what they have
heard people say: John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. He was regarded as a political messiah, miracle worker and king. Jesus’ preaching, teaching, and healing caused people to say that he was one of the great prophets of Israel. The people didn’t quite know who Jesus was; they were confused.
Some commentators say that Jesus asked this to test the disciples or as a survey question. They say that Jesus wasn’t too interested
in the answer. Instead, he wondered if who and what people said he was was confusing or influencing the disciples.
Imagine being in conversation with Jesus. How would you respond if he asked who and what people thought he was? Have you ever wondered and asked another who Jesus is?
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
