Matthew 16:13-20
Now 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.
I find the exchange here between Jesus and the disciples fascinating. There are two parts. In the first, Jesus asks what’s being said about him. To whom, that is, do people compare them? Who do they say that he is like? It’s not too different from when we compare some sports figure or politician to a previous giant in the same profession, one who set the bar for excellence. And the disciples reply in just 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.”
But then comes the question behind the question. “All well and good,” Jesus seems to say, “but who do you say that I am?” That is, it’s one thing for the crowds to make their assessment, to render their judgment, but the disciples left everything to follow him, have travelled with him, sharing in his ministry for quite some time now. And their more intimate vantage point raises the value and importance of their opinion, their assessment, their judgment. “Who do you say that I am?” This may just be the most important question Jesus ever asked them.
At this moment, 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. Jesus is, Peter confesses, the Messiah, God’s promised and long-awaited anointed one, the one who will redeem Israel, restore her fortunes, and return her to her former glory.
But that’s not all. He goes on to confess that Jesus is also the Son of the living God. Which must have rung out as a rather bold declaration in this particular place. For they were gathered in Caesarea Philippi, a town named by Philip the Tetrarch in honor of Caesar Augustus. And because Caesar was named Son of God, Peter’s confession isn’t just faithful, it’s incredibly audacious, even risky, as Caesars typically brooked no competition. Which is why Jesus commends Peter: for on such audacious faith he will build his church.
Who do you say that I am? The crowds had their answer. Peter had his. What, however, will we answer? What bold confession will we make, if any? Who do we imagine Jesus to be in comparison to the powers of our country, or the wealth we hold, or the influence we hope to exert? Who is Jesus to us? This, also, may be the most important question we ever ask…or answer.
Prayer: Dear God, grant us the vision to perceive in your Son your promised salvation and the courage to share our confession with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: Ruins of Caesarea Philippi.
David – thanks for these reflections. They feed me in ways that are very helpful for this older pastor. Tim