An Exegesis of Peters Confession of Christ in Luke 9:18-27 - Literature review Example

AN EXEGESIS OF PETER’S CONFESSION OF CHRIST IN LUKE 9:18-27 LITERARY CRITICISM Peter had been one of Jesus’ disciple who had maintained most of the closest relationship with Christ. Though he had undeniably weaker character in being unable fully to embody the characters of Christ, his honest character, will follow Christ and inquisitive nature had made him maintain a close distance with Christ than the other disciples. Nevertheless, Peter was quick and eager to answer anything, fully expressive of himself. In Luke 9:18-27, we are introduced to Jesus praying alone with His disciples and it happened that He asked what people say who He is. This question triggers some answers from them saying that others claimed He was John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the old prophets. Therefore, it shows that people did not recognise Jesus as the Son of God; the King that had been prophesied a long time ago would come. The expectations of the people towards Christ was one that embodied a personality that would match that of a worldly king. Evidently, people expected a king that would lead them to political might and prosperity (Lange). The association of Jesus to the old prophets, John the Baptist or Elias presented another angle of Jesus presentation to the people. People had started to align Jesus with the spiritual lineage. He had the combination of a prophet and matched with the might of John the Baptist. The response in Luke 9:19 that He arose prophet of the old embodies the fact that people believed in life after death. To test on the disciples understanding of whom He was, He challenges them too by asking whom they thought He was. Peter responds that they said that He was the Christ of God. Peter presents an important aspect on His understanding of Christ. He wasn’t just an ordinary man to Him but the Christ of God. Evidently, we can discern that peter understood in a spiritual angle; Jesus held more than just being a human. He had an elevation more than being a prophet, and more than being similar to John the Baptist. Jesus then makes it clear that they shouldn’t tell anyone about this. Jesus’ option to secrecy on His identity makes a benchmark in marking us understand that His revelation about His identity at the time would hamper His future fate. The then days political inclination suggested that if people knew what exactly Jesus was would not auger well with the authorities. Considering the then political setting and the people’s expectation of king to lead them out of political and social slavery, His identity disclosure to the people meant that He would certainly face a lot of rebellion than when people are let to gamble for themselves who He really was. His move to command the disciples not to tell anyone about this was preparing them for future work, paying loyalty to Christ and obviously shows us the power of actions in showing who they really were by having not to tell much (Vos). In the latter parts, Jesus talks about rejection by the religious leaders confirming that certainly His identity was better not revealed as it certainly confirms that the disciples too were not to lead a simple better life but were vulnerable to persecution too in their association with Christ. His prophecy about His life describes a unique character of an all-inclusive being in all spiritual aspects. Consequently, He psychologically and spiritually prepared His disciples that the time will come for Jesus to leave and be with them no more. The opportunity would provide a chance for the disciples to start knowing their roles early enough to get prepared on Christ’s death and eventually also learn before time was due (Vos). Jesus allusion to His suffering also points a number of things. His vivid description of His fate not only would apply to him alone but also to his disciples. They would suffer and die as Christ did to emulate Him. This preparation would make them watch and stand to the occasion when confronted and even greatly enough there is a price to whichever side one takes. Those prepared to take Jesus’ path to follow Him had to sacrifice himself and deny this one life in order to get eternal happiness. Heavenly Kingdom to which He would become King was for those who would take up the challenge for themselves and choose to lose their selves for the sake of Christ. Certainly, this makes us understand that Jesus was not meant to be a worldly king but certainly a heavenly King. His was to deliver people from their perceived worldly pleasure and worship of this one life. A more important life awaited those who were to follow Christ. Consequently, it meant that defaulters had a place too and certainly there was a place of punishment, pain and wailing. A double life meant that you couldn’t belong to Jesus’ kingdom. There were restrictions and prices to pay for a heavenly gift. That would be suffering from rejection, torture or even death. Life aspect brought out in this section clearly tells us something about another life elsewhere. It ascertains to the fact that certainly there would be two places; a place for the chosen and a place for the rebellious. Jesus clearly states that one wouldn’t gain that other life without sacrificing this life for Him. It calls for obedience, exemplary life, sacrifice and perseverance for the sake of Christ and it was a clearly spelt out truth that as followers of Christ there had to be a benchmark for qualification. Mere association to Christ was simply not enough. They had to strive to be like Christ in everything they did. That would make them carry the identity of Jesus. In Luke 9:27, we are made to understand that even in the disciples number, not all would be lucky to make it to Jesus. He says “some of them would not even taste death." It can also mean that they would be remembered even after physical death, but their spiritual might would be a testimony for many until they see the Kingdom of heaven. Similarly, this can suggest that some of them would arguably be witnesses of Christ thereby having to see the wonders and might of Christ before their death. Finally, the last part in Luke 9:28, Jesus takes the three disciples to pray; Peter, John and James to emphasises on the power of prayer as being one of the important tools in spiritual nourishment and in being a powerful tool in every day’s endeavours. In conclusion, Peter’s confession of Christ opens doors for them not just to know what Jesus was but also to clearly understand what responsibilities they had as followers of Christ. This embodiment would see them through in their work to make continue of His work. Jesus revelation of rising from the dead gave them hope that they too would have a victorious ending. This interaction helps them know more about Christ and the kingdom as far as they were concerned. Having the greatness of interacting and living with Christ would make them better as witnesses of Him (Lange). Jesus prediction of his suffering, death and resurrection was the major item that he was dedicating to his disciples, Luke 9:22. In order to understand this passage, it is good we refer to the book of Isaiah the prophet who prophesied the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is found in Isaiah 53:4-6. Prophet Zechariah also prophesied about the death of the son of God. Considering these prophesies and many more, we can conclude that there were many other parts of the bible that talks about the same thing. These words have not been edited by the author. Although, different versions of the bible have been written differently although they do carry the same meaning. For example, the New International Version NIV has been written in a simplest that any person who knows very little English can understand. When compared to the King James Version, which is arguably the first version to be interpreted from the Hebrew bible, it is very hard for the reader to get the content. When argued from this angle, we can say that the phrase have been edited. The edited bible is only meant to simplify the bible for easier understanding. The missionaries wanted to make the spread of the word easy. Therefore, they were forced to edit the bible into simple terms that people could understand. The theological important words in this text are verse 20 where peter out rightly answers Jesus that he is the Christ of god. Thus, he meant that since the disciples have known who he is, it will be easier for them to spread the gospel in his name. If they had not yet recognised him as other people did, it could be difficult for them to spread the gospel. Therefore, it is very important in theology as theologies believe in Jesus Christ and are called to spread his word. If they do not recognize him, then they cannot be able to spread the gospel. The other important part of this text is verse 23 where Jesus urges the disciples to take their cross and follow him. The cross in this text literary means the wooden structure where Jesus was actually crucified. In the spiritual realm, the cross of Jesus is where man was redeemed and reconciled with god. We, therefore, as theological students have to remember the price that Jesus paid for our sins each and every day (Vos). This reminder should be the motivational factor for our redemption and leading other people to god when spreading the gospel. This words do not evoke any part of the bible as they have come from the mouth of the son of God. The meaning of these words is that as Christians, we should never be ashamed of Christ for if we do so, we will never enter into his kingdom. We should always acknowledge him before people so that he can acknowledge us before his father in the last day (Lange). From this passage, the man must leave all the earthly happiness in order to have a good relationship with God. He must also deny himself and serve God only. The self-denial means that a man must live a spiritual life that Christ live and should communicate with God every time in prayer. The question that could have been addressed to the community it was originally written is to proclaim that Jesus was thought to be john the Baptist, Elijah or one of the previous prophets. But the question is how could he be any of the given that they all have died a long time ago? Another question is, the community were reading about the coming of the messiah and so they were waiting for him. How comes that they were now with him and could not recognize him? Work Cited Lange, John Peter. The Gospel according to John: an Exegetical and Doctrinal Commentary. Barlin: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007. Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. London: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2003. Read More