Today, our gospel message comes to us from the 16th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 13th verse, “The profession of Peter’s faith.”
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (Matthew 16:13-20)
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to reveal your will for our lives and redeem us from sin and death. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, inspire us with confidence that you are with us amid the storms of life, bring peace to our troubled souls, and lead your church throughout the ages. Enable us to live as your redeemed saints, that our lives may witness to our faith. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.
“Who Do You Say I Am?”
It is helpful at times to ask ourselves hard questions. They help us get our bearings and ensure that we are headed along the path we want to walk to achieve the goals we feel called to. Today we ponder the question, “Who do you say that I am?”
Jesus asked his disciples this question when they were at Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was the farthest point north of Jerusalem. It was where several contrasting religions—Canaanite (Baal), Egyptian, Greek, and Roman—had places of worship. This story also occurred just before Jesus turned south and headed toward Jerusalem and his destiny.
Jesus first asks who the people think he may be. The disciples answer that people speculate that Jesus might be the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah, who was prophesized to precede the Messiah or one of Israel’s great prophets. No one had figured out that Jesus might be the Messiah because Jesus was so different from the Messiah that they were expecting.
After listening to what the people around the countryside thought of him, Jesus asks his disciples, “And who do you say that I am?” They are silent except for Peter, who says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter had been walking with Jesus for three years, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is finally revealed to Peter who Jesus really is—the Messiah for whom Israel has been waiting.
There was a greater difference between the fact that Peter made a confession and the general populous conjured up mere speculation. Along with Peter’s proclamation that Jesus was the Christ came the commitment to follow Jesus as one of his disciples. The speculation of the people cost them nothing and affected their lives very little. Peter’s confession (and the confession of the church that followed) cost him everything and changed his life completely.
Today we can follow the example of the people and only speculate who Jesus might be—keeping an open mind to other possibilities. We can worship God, sing songs of praise, and listen to sermons and prayers while hesitating to make a commitment—wanting to keep our options open. Without the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and the commitment to become his disciple, there is little or no motivation to commit our time, talents, or treasures to his service—let alone our lives.
If we are brothers and sisters of Peter, though, we receive the revelation that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. We also open ourselves to the life-changing possibilities that such a confession opens to us and commit ourselves to live in reality by committing our lives—time, talents, and treasures—to loving God, serving and neighbor, and experiencing the abundant life that is ours.
By our words and actions, who we say that God is, makes a huge difference in how we live our lives.
Peter experienced Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Throughout the Scriptures, God has revealed himself to people differently and touched their lives in various ways.
• For the Psalmist, God was a good shepherd who led him to green pastures and cool streams and walked with him through the valley of the shadow of death.
• In Psalm 46, the writer sees God as his refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
• Several times in the Old Testament, the Lord is referred to as God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
• The prophet Isaiah writes that the Messiah will be titled “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”
• The name Jesus or Joshua can be translated as “God saves.”
• Jesus is called Emmanuel, or “God with us.”
Each of us has experienced God in our lives in different ways.
• God is our provider giving us our daily bread.
• God is our comfort, surrounding us with his love in times of grief.
• God is our peace, calming the storms of our lives, walking with us through troubled times, and giving us the strength to persevere and overcome.
Who do you say that God is? If he is your Lord and Savior, then commit your life to him and offer your time, talents, and treasures as your living sacrifice. If God is your provider, comfort, or peace, then give your time, talents, and treasures so that the church can be a provider, comfort, and peace to the people around us.
No one can answer this question for you. You cannot poll the crowd and go with the largest response. You must answer this question for yourself and allow your confession to direct the path of your life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a Lord who walks beside your people. So we pray for people who walk for justice.
You are a Lord who raises up those who are bent low. So we pray for those held down by the grindings of life and the indifference of the world.
You are a Lord who feeds the hungry. So we pray for all who long for bread and the means to provide it.
You are a Lord who celebrates the small and the insignificant. So we pray for the children and for those who are never noticed.
You are a Lord who says, ‘Follow me.’ So we pray for courage and faith in our hearts that we may take up the cross and find it leads to life.
You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Amen.
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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Sermon contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn.
Saying that Jesus is our Lord and Savior demands that we back up our words with actions.
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