Who Do You Say I Am?
Ali is an Associate Pastor at Gas Street
Matthew 16:13-18 (NIVUK)
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.'
There’s an old proverb that tells us never to ask a question unless the answer makes a difference. Big questions spark reflection and lead to profound change as we have space to reflect on our deepest motives. Jesus was very good at asking questions. Questions that made people wrestle with the roots of their identity and faith.
This week we are going to look at a few of the questions Jesus asked and discover why and how he might be asking us the same things today.
The question in today’s reading that Jesus asks Peter is the key to all the others: Who do you say I am?
It wasn’t out of idle curiosity that Jesus asked this, but because the answer would reveal whether Peter could truly recognise Jesus, and therefore whether he would be able to take on the mission God had for him.
Before Peter can answer, the other disciples jump in and give some (frankly rather woolly) answers, so Jesus asks one more time and this time Peter answers clearly and definitively. Jesus is able to take this answer and do something with it: he prophetically proclaims the beginning of the church as we know it - the gathered community of God.
I believe Jesus asks us the same question, and it matters how we answer it: Historical figure? Advice-Giver? Well-being expert? Advocate for the poor? Son of God…
The way you and I answer this question will change how we live our lives. It changes how we see ourselves, how we do our work, how we choose to listen to him, how we treat our family, how we understand our identity and vision and mission to see his kingdom come.
Jesus asks really good questions. How will you answer today?
Prayer — Lord, thank you that you know exactly who I am and all that you are calling me into. Thank you, too, that you call me to respond to you, to see you for who you are. Please reveal yourself to me today in a fresh way.