Who do you say that I am?
We don’t have to wonder about the answer to this question. Peter answers it and Jesus confirms the answer.
No parables, no question to answer a question. It is straightforward. Case closed. No need to come this Sunday…
Hang on a second…
Maybe this week the question is less about the answer and more about why Jesus asked the question.
No that can’t be right…
Some believe this is the single most important question that Jesus ever asked. So, the answer is important.
Maybe the question is, why the question?
Are we surprised Peter answered first?
Are we surprised Peter got the answer correct?
This Sunday, I want to invite us to look at why the question was asked.
Is the answer to Jesus’ question the same for us?
Why did Jesus ask the question and then tell the disciples to not share the answer?
Matthew 16:13-20 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
What is in this passage for us, today, in 2023?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
