Connect Mark 8:29 with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Peter’s Confession—“You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29) “ ‘But what about you?’ Jesus asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ.’ ” What “Christ” Means • “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Messiah,” meaning “Anointed One.” • In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed; the Messiah combines all three offices in one Person (cf. Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 61:1). Foundational Promises That Point Forward • Genesis 3:15 — the promised Seed who will crush the serpent. • Genesis 12:3 — through Abraham’s line “all the families of the earth will be blessed.” • Genesis 49:10 — “The scepter will not depart from Judah.” • Numbers 24:17 — “A Star will come forth from Jacob.” Royal Line of David • 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — God promises David a Son whose throne will be established forever. • Psalm 89:3-4 — David’s line safeguarded “for all generations.” • Jeremiah 23:5-6 — “a Righteous Branch” from David who will “reign wisely.” • Isaiah 9:6-7 — the Child whose government and peace know no end, seated “on the throne of David.” Fulfillment in Jesus: Mark’s Gospel begins by calling Him “Son of God” (Mark 1:1) and repeatedly identifies Him with Davidic authority (Mark 10:47-48; 11:9-10). The Suffering Servant Aspect • Psalm 22 — pierced hands and feet, mocked, gamblers for clothing. • Isaiah 53 — despised, pierced for our transgressions, makes intercession. • Zechariah 12:10 — “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced.” Fulfillment in Mark: Jesus immediately predicts His suffering after Peter’s confession (Mark 8:31), culminating at the cross (Mark 15). Divine Sonship and Eternal Reign • Psalm 2:7-8 — “You are My Son… I will give You the nations.” • Psalm 110:1-4 — David’s Lord seated at God’s right hand, “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” • Daniel 7:13-14 — “One like a Son of Man” receiving an everlasting dominion. In Mark, Jesus accepts “Son of Man” (Mark 14:62) and is declared “Son of God” by the centurion at the cross (Mark 15:39). Prophecies About the Messiah’s Public Signs • Isaiah 35:4-6 — the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame leap. • Isaiah 61:1-2 — good news to the poor, liberty to captives. • Micah 5:2 — birth in Bethlehem. • Zechariah 9:9 — King enters Jerusalem on a colt. Mark records Jesus opening deaf ears (Mark 7:31-37), feeding multitudes (Mark 8:1-10), healing the blind (Mark 8:22-25), and entering Jerusalem on a colt (Mark 11:1-10). Bringing It All Together • Peter’s statement, “You are the Christ,” gathers every strand of Old Testament hope—Seed of the woman, Son of Abraham, Lion of Judah, Branch of David, Suffering Servant, Divine King. • Jesus’ immediate teaching on His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-32) shows that royal glory and redemptive suffering are both essential to the Messiah’s mission—exactly as foretold. • The Old Testament prophecies converge in Jesus, validating Peter’s confession and inviting confident faith in the promised, anointed Redeemer. |
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