1. Jesus' question (pages 2-3)

Text from the book

'Who do people say that I am?'

People had very different ideas about Jesus. Some were very puzzled about who he was - even those who were close to him. Some people grew to love him. Others distrusted him and thought he was dangerous.

Jesus was interested in what people were saying about him. He also asked his disciples what they thought.

Do you ever wonder what your friends think about you?

Aims of the book

Pupils will:

• explore some of the key sayings of Jesus;
• be aware of what friends and enemies said about him;
• reflect on the layers of meanings in the words.

Learning objectives

Pupils will:

• reflect on what Jesus may have meant when using these words;
• recognise Jesus was not easily understood by those around him;
• demonstrate an ability to use a variety of skills as they deepen their understanding of Jesus’ teaching.

Background

All the quotations in this book have been taken from the Gospel of St Mark. The Gospel writer is constantly challenging his audience to think about who Jesus might be. Readers of the Gospel today have to try to stand in the shoes of Jesus’ contemporaries. One of the themes of Mark’s gospel is the Messianic Secret; that is, Jesus does not want to tell anyone directly that he is the Messiah as he wants people to make their own judgement about him. So when Peter’s response to the question is to say that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus tells him to keep it a secret. Jesus wants people to listen to him and then think about what he says. He does not want to tell people what to think.

Another feature of Mark’s gospel is the urgency of the action. Questions are asked that need an answer; the action moves swiftly from one event or scene to another. There is an immediacy about Jesus sayings, miracles, teaching and parables; so much has to be done and it must be done ‘now’. Pace, vigour and a sense of urgency are essentials when thinking about the questions Jesus asked and those questions people raised about him.

Ways of using the picture

Why does Jesus ask his disciples who the people think he is?

Do you think Jesus had a particular answer in mind?

When do we ask for other people’s opinions?

Bible reference: Mark 8.27

Key words

• Dangerous
• Puzzlement
• Distrustful
• Uncomfortable
• Intrigued
• Direct

Activity

You will need

• Large sheets of paper
• Pens
• Mirrors

Look carefully at the picture. Write the word ‘Jesus’ on a large sheet of paper. Next write down the words that come into your mind as you look at the face in the picture. Use this word shower to construct an answer to Jesus’ question. What do you see in the face?

What do you think the artist has tried to capture about Jesus?

Look into a mirror; write down words to describe what you see. Compare the two lists identifying the words that are similar and those that are different.

Use the shape of a face to write a shape poem using some of the words you have collected. You could use the similar and different words in different parts of the face.

Learning outcomes

Pupils will have:

• reflected on the power of the face in the picture;
• used skills of observation;
• demonstrated an ability to look carefully at themselves;
• used their imagination in a creative and literary way.

Extension work

Pupils can begin to explore what makes them who they are. Are they the same person they were two years ago? What is different? Have their looks changed? Have their opinions changed?

Pupils could interview each other as if they were writing an article about the person for a magazine. What questions would they ask as they begin to put together a short description of the person being interviewed?

Web sites

http://www.coventrycathedral.org/

The image on this double page spread is a close-up of Christ's face, taken from Graham Sutherland's famous tapestry Christ in Glory. Find out more at this web site about Coventry Cathedral, the home of the tapestry.

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/sutherland_graham.html

The online art encyclopedia gives links to some of the best examples of Graham Sutherland's work. Web sites featured here include the Tate Gallery and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Further details of Sutherland's life are given at http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/sutherland_graham.html

http://www.biblebelievers.com/harmon14.html

Pastor John Harmon from a Baptist Church in American lists over 500 biblical 'names' given to Jesus. This is an interesting page, if only to illustrate that Jesus' own question 'Who do people say that I am?' has many answers!

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1679.html shows another approach to learning the names of Jesus.

© Alan Brown and Alison Seaman, 2002

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