Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, June 4, 2023

Paper Doll Jesus

Today, Pastor Michael is saying that some folks have a “Paper Doll” mentality toward Jesus.  The Jesus that is in line with the beliefs that you have; the Jesus that is two-dimensional.  His own disciples had a very flat, two-dimensional view of Jesus.  Their understanding of Him didn’t match the truth of His person or purpose.  We see this disconnection in Mark of what his followers thought of him.

The story takes place in Caesarea Philippi.  During this trip, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”  And his disciples answered everything from John the Baptist to Elijah.  Then He asked them directly, “But, you, who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “The Messiah,” and Jesus told them to tell no one.  Jesus knew the more they told people, the more His enemies would chase him down and try to kill him.  He knew it was not time for His ministry to end yet. 

Jesus was and is not just a great prophet, a miracle worker, or a teacher: He is the Son of God.  But people of His day and His own followers had a “Paper Doll” image of Jesus, a certain image that is not in line with what Jesus was and is. 

(CSB Study Bible Notes) Peter responded you are the Messiah. This is the first time in Mark’s Gospel that a person made this identification. To this point, only God (1:11) and demons (1:24,34; 3:11; 5:7) had testified to Jesus’s true identity. The word “Messiah” (Christ) means “anointed one” and refers to God’s appointed deliverer and King.

Verses can be found in Mark 8: 27-33.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.