The Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Let us Pray the Collect for this Sunday: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In today’s world, there are many who think they are saviors or prophets. If asked, who would they say they are? We have heard what one person thinks he is, but there is only one Son of God, the true Messiah, our Lord, and savior Jesus Christ. If we are to become disciples of Jesus, we must show by how we live our lives, by our words, and actions. Those things are foundational to live a life of discipleship. As we read this Gospel we can not only ask Who we think Jesus is, but who do we think we are and of the many significant questions one may ask and seek to answer in life. Why am I here? What should I do now that I am here? How shall I spend my time? Am I lovable? What is truth? Where should I focus my abilities and attention? Questions like these are of great consequence and, thus, worthy of great consideration. But of all the weighty questions we can and should ask ourselves, there is one that eclipses all others in importance. How one answers this single question, and all will answer it, knowingly or otherwise as it is reality-shaping. The question is this: Who is Jesus Christ? Matthew 16:13–20 presents the answers of people who lived during the years of Jesus’s first arrival and, ultimately, forces us, thousands of years later, to consider our own response. So, when Jesus opens by asking this all-important question. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is”. Jesus is essentially asking, where have the masses decided on the issue: is-he-or-is-he-not-the-messiah? What is the public opinion on my identity? Jesus asks his disciples, What do the people say? The disciples respond with the results of their informal poll. Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But they are also wrong, Jesus isn’t John or Jeremiah. He turned and said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
What Does Peter Say? “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Feel the contrast between the people and Peter. Uncertainty versus certainty. Ignorance versus conviction. Peter knows Jesus is not just a teacher, a zealot, a spiritual man. No, he’s the Christ; the long-awaited, much-needed Anointed One. He is not just one of the prophets but the one the prophets predicted and ached for. Peter sees what others miss: Jesus is not just a teacher of God’s word; He is the WORD. Peter becomes the Rock and the Keys. A new foundation: “On this rock I will build my Church.” The Church was not built on Peter’s personality but on Peter’s confession—the truth of who Jesus is. It is spiritual responsibility given to Peter. The Church becomes the community entrusted with proclaiming Christ and opening the way to life. Nothing has changed in two thousand years. Jesus asks his disciples, What do the people say? And the news isn’t good. But Jesus isn’t deterred and, re-aims this important question at his disciples which, I get the sense is what he wanted to do in the first place.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
How do you answer that question?
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, You revealed to Peter the truth that anchors our faith. Open our hearts again to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Build in us a faith strong enough to stand, humble enough to serve, and bold enough to proclaim Your kingdom. May the gates of darkness never prevail against the light You have placed within us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 