Matthew 16:13-20 - August 27, 2023

I find the exchange here between Jesus and the disciples quite fascinating. 

There are two parts to this somewhat brief episode. In the first part, Jesus asks what is being said about him. In other words, to whom do people compare him? Who do they say he is like? It’s not too different from when we compare some sports figures or politicians to a previous giant in the same profession, one who set the bar for excellence. “He’s the next Tom Brady,” kind of thing. And the disciples reply in that vein. “They say you are like John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the other all-time greats of the tradition.”

The crowds have gotten an important part of Jesus’ identity exactly right. His ministry is not a rerouting of any of God’s plans. Instead, Jesus belongs in a long line of faithful servants of God, prophets willing to stake their lives for the sake of God’s people.

But then comes the question behind the question. “All well and good,” Jesus seems to say, “but who do you say that I am?” It’s one thing for the crowds to make their judgments and comparisons, but the disciples left everything to follow him. They have traveled with him, sharing in his ministry for some time now. And the fact that they are closer to Jesus, seen him, been with him, had deep conversations with him - well, that perspective raises the importance of their opinion.

So Jesus wants to know. Why are you following me? Why have you left everything you know? “Who do you say that I am?” This might be the most important question Jesus has ever asked them. 

And at this crucial point, Peter rises to the occasion, exclaiming in a moment of holy insight: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Peter declares that Jesus is the one for whom they have been waiting. And not just the disciples, but all of Israel.

Of course, we know that Peter is more than this one confession. Just a couple of weeks ago, Peter walked on water… until his faith waivered. A few chapters from now in the Gospel, Peter won’t confess but will deny that he even knows Jesus. 

But right now, in this moment, Peter knows that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. It’s quite the revelation. And instead of skipping over it and looking at what else Peter did or didn’t do, it makes sense to simply pause. We pause right here and give thanks for God - present, visible, alive. Jesus himself acknowledges how big of a deal it is. “Blessed are you… On this rock, I will build my church… Hades will not prevail…” 

Who do you say that I am? The crowds had their answer. Peter had his.
But who do you say that Jesus is?
What will we answer?
What bold confession will we make, if any? 

That’s an important question. And it might be even more important if we embrace the fullness of what Jesus is asking. Because to “speak” or to “say” in this context is more than words. Like with the disciples, the lives we lead in light of who Jesus is are just as critical as what we say with words - no matter how true or insightful or elegant those words are. 

For us, there is so much going on. So much that is negative. So many opportunities to proclaim Jesus. So many ways and times and places that we as individuals and as a faith community and as a world fall short. And in the midst of it all, we are asked the same question, “Who do you say that I am?” We are called to confess Christ, the Messiah we know and follow. 

Yet, like Peter sometimes our faith waivers in Jesus and what it is he came to do.
Sometimes, we, like Peter, deny we know Jesus in front of others with our words, but truthfully, we do it more often with what we have done and left undone.
Sometimes we desert Jesus and his call to us. 

And yet…

And yet, Jesus is here asking if we see who he is, who he really is. He’s not some dead prophet, but alive! Not a forerunner, but THE Messiah. Not only crucified but risen!

And sometimes, sometimes there are moments when things do come together perfectly. There are times when we actually DO say the right things. There are opportunities we seize to live out our calling. It’s in those moments that we clearly recognize Jesus for who he is; where God works in us and through us; where the Holy Spirit fills us with joy and awareness. 

But is that our doing? “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” God is at work, even in us, just as God was at work in Peter. Yes, Peter would screw up big time, but in this moment, God was at work - and God would even be at work later, too! 

And so, where do we see God at work in and among us? How does God reveal to us Christ?

God reveals the Messiah when we keep feeding people. And not some lame leftovers or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on week-old bread. But this community prepares food - good food. There are hospitable hosts. People are cared for, fed, and welcomed. Christ is present, proclaimed, pointed out in moments like that.

God reveals the Messiah when we support the forgotten. We set a goal just a month ago to raise $3,000 for various agencies that help foster kids and foster families. And we did way more than that. We almost doubled that goal. Out of generosity, we provided a little joy and support through those donations. Christ is present in those gifts.

God reveals the Messiah in our words and in our actions - and sometimes despite our words and our actions. God is there! Christ is here! The Son of the Living God is revealed to us! 

Instead of seeing all the other stuff and all the ways we may fail, just for a moment, notice where God is at work. When God gifts us with revelation, it makes sense to pause and give thanks. Be bold about pointing out when and where we see the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Lift up, celebrate, and give thanks for those things where we sense the presence of the God who brings life. 

This isn’t overlooking all that still needs to be done. It isn’t ignoring the new ways and places God is calling us. This isn’t to say that all those ways can’t be made better. But it is to give thanks here and now for the ways God reveals Jesus to us and to those around us. 

We give thanks that God reveals Jesus in our community of faith.
We give thanks that God reveals love, grace, and life through a cross and an empty tomb.
We give thanks that God reveals forgiveness and welcome through bread and wine.
We give thanks for the we ways we proclaim, “Jesus is the Messiah, Son of the Living God.”

We don’t do it perfectly. We don’t fully understand or live into what we confess. We’re not totally free from confusion or fear when it comes to living out that confession. Yet we confess nonetheless, speaking and acting in ways that are only possible because it is revealed to us -  not by flesh and blood, but by the Loving, the Faithful, the Living God.