Disciples of the Kingdom

Who do you say that Jesus is? This chapter is about the revelation of Jesus' identity and how knowing Jesus only in this way makes one a true disciple. All of Dr. Luke's teaching in his gospel has been leading up to this important and transitional chapter 9 concerning who Jesus is and what it means to be his disciple. A disciple's confession of the true identity of Jesus causes a radical break with the past. To confess Jesus' true identity as the suffering-Messiah-Christ is to realize one's new identity in Christ as a selfless person who denies himself, takes up his cross daily following Jesus, and one who loses his life for the sake of the Kingdom. This passage in chapter 9 also gives us an early pre-Pentecost account of the life and mission of the Apostolic Church in the Kingdom of God, revealing what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Who do you say that Jesus is- - and who does that say that you are?