Sunday Readings: Isaiah 22.18-23; Romans 11.33-36, Matthew 16.13-20
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples this. “Who do people says the Son of Man is?”
The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“And you, who do you say that I am?”
Peter spoke, “You are the Mssiah, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16.13-15
Jesus’ question to his first disciples echoes down the centuries to every Christian. Is Jesus a prophetic reformer who hopes to breathe life into the legalistic religion of his day and who challenges us to do the same? Is he a revolutionary whose inflammatory preaching grinds him to death in the gears of Caesar’s empire? In our new context of evolution we ask, “Isn’t Jesus, who is the Christ, the omega point in whom all creation will converge? Isn’t he the firstborn of a new creation who has gone ahead of us and who testifies love is the ultimate transforming power in the cosmos?
Peter’s faith is new and untested at this early point in Jesus’ ministry, but by the time Matthew writes his gospel fifty years later, Peter’s faith has led him to the ultimate act of faith and imitation of Jesus–martyrdom about A.D. 64. Jesus blesses and affirms Peter’s faith, which is both God’s gift and our unfolding identity
How has faith in Jesus become part of your identity? In what ways are you aware your faith has grown? How do you answer Jesus’ question today?