Opinions

When Jesus left Bethsaida He and His disciples traveled north, probably along the upper Jordan toward the head waters. The going was tough uphill into the mountains of northern Israel. The journey could have been as much as 25 miles and in sight of Mt. Hermon, the highest point in Israel at over 9000 feet. This was no mere Sunday stroll. This was some serious hiking taking many days. Jesus had been doing this sort of thing a lot of late, i.e. staying in more remote areas and spending time with Gentiles. They did make a short visit to Galilee of late, but did not stay long. But, perhaps it was long enough for the disciples to hear things. People like to talk. We like to talk. It is so easy to stand around at the gathering places and talk. Everyone has an opinion about just about everything. We have opinions about politics, religious, family life, finances, and food. We like to share our opinions because if we are right it makes us look smart and like we have something significant to offer others. As a society people like to figure things out in groups. Remember Jesus had recently warned the Twelve to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. Now He wants to know about the leaven of the crowds. All these opinions swirling around the disciples might be turning their heads. Remember in John 6 the disciples stood alone in proclaiming that Jesus has the words of eternal life and that there is no where else to go even when everyone else's opinion was that it was not worth it.

Opinions are powerful things. Those who study Sociology know all about this. We are mostly followers and we do not want to stray too far from the crowd and common opinion. We like to fit in and be accepted. Our well-being depends on it. If we are too "out there" or different then people will shun us and we can't do business or get married or run for office. We have to be liked and to be liked we have to think like the herd. Jesus cuts to the heart of the real question: Who do others say I am (Matthew adds "Son of Man")? This is the key question. Everything hinges on the identity of Jesus. Who is He? Their opinion doesn't change who He is. His mission does not change because of what they think about who He is. He is not going to be stopped in fulfilling His mission because of what they think about who He is. But, we often are affected greatly by what others think of us. So why is Jesus asking? It is not for His benefit. He is asking for the benefit of the disciples. This is a faith building exercise. Very near where this question is being asked sits a pagan temple. Jesus is sitting in the shadow of world opinion, a world filled with opinions as to who God is and what He is like. And, sitting before these twelve common men is the embodiment of God Himself. Before them is the clearest picture of God Himself on earth. From pagans, to Jewish religious leaders, to the everyday people, and now to the Twelve Jesus wants to know their opinion.

What shapes our opinions? Many things, of course. For the disciples and us, it should be the presence and words of one person. There is one, single, solitary life that should form our opinion about all things, that puts all things into perspective, and gives us informed direction for our lives. All the other voices combined should not overwhelm this one voice. His is not opinion. His is truth.