Romans 12:1-8; 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?’” Now, that is a really great question, “Who do people say Jesus is?” How would you answer that question today? Well, I have done some research, and I have several good answers to Jesus’ question. First, I checked in with the Muslims and they tell me that Jesus is a prophet in the line of prophets that stretches back to Abraham and even to Adam. Jesus is in the line of prophets that includes David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. But Jesus is more than your run-of-the-mill prophet; he is one of the great prophets. In fact, after Mohammed, Muslims consider Jesus to be the greatest of all the prophets. The Muslims honor Jesus and respect him as a prophet. So, “Who do people say Jesus is?” Well, the Muslim world says he was a prophet.
Next, I checked in with the Jews and discovered that they too honor Jesus; but not primarily as a prophet but as a great rabbi. They honor Jesus as a great teacher; they honor him as a great interpreter of the Torah. While Jesus clashed with the Pharisees about the meaning of the Law; today many Jews acknowledge that Jesus was on the right track. They can read the Sermon on the Mount and find much to agree with. So, while Jews may not study Jesus’ teaching in the New Testament; Jews can find much wisdom in the teaching of the rabbi from Nazareth. So, “Who do people say Jesus is?” Well, the Jewish world says he was a great teacher.
The eastern faiths, like Hinduism, can also find much to like about Jesus of Nazareth. Certainly they honor Jesus for his great moral teachings and some even see him as an avatar (or representation) of one of their many deities. So, “Who do people say Jesus is?” Well, many in the Hindu world would say Jesus was a great ethical and moral teacher and may even be one who represents the gods in the world.
Even the secular world has many positive things to say about Jesus. Many honor Jesus as a kind and compassionate man who sought to relieve the suffering in the world. Many honor Jesus as a wise leader who sought to teach us how to live in harmony with our neighbors. Many honor Jesus as a visionary who sought to bring about political change through non-violent means. Yes, the secular world and even an atheist can find much to like in Jesus son of Joseph. So, “Who do people say Jesus is?” Well, the secular world says Jesus was a man of great vision and we will do well to remember his teachings and honor his memory.
Now, I have to admit that all of this has been a fascinating exercise. But, at the same time, it does not really tell us much about Jesus. Basically, we have learned that the world is quite willing to accept Jesus on its own terms; they “shoehorn” him into one of their preconceived categories. The Muslims honor the prophets, so they make Jesus a prophet. The Jews honor teachers, so they make Jesus a teacher. The secular world honors leaders and visionaries, so they make Jesus a leader and a visionary. All of these various groups have taken Jesus and made him conform to their world view.
I find it interesting that the answers Jesus’ disciples gave that day as they headed into Caesarea Philippi are essentially the same answers the world gives today. I am also sure that Jesus did not learn anything new from the disciples’ answer; I am sure he already knew how he was perceived by the world. But, then Jesus asked another question; a question that is both a very simple question and also one of the most difficult questions we can ever seek to answer. Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” The question is easy because it does not require any “research.” We can give any answer we choose and we can never be wrong – after all, our opinion is our opinion. But, if we are honest with ourselves, it is also the most difficult question we will ever have to answer. It is difficult because Jesus does not fit into any of the world’s neat categories. Yes, Jesus is a prophet, but more than a prophet. Jesus is not one who simply proclaims the word of God; Jesus is the Word of God. Yes, Jesus is a teacher, but more than a teacher. Jesus is not one who simply recites the Law; Jesus is the Light that reveals God’s will in the world. Yes, Jesus is a visionary and leader, but more that a visionary and leader. Jesus is not one who simply points us in the right direction; Jesus is the Way that leads to God. So, to answer Jesus’ question we need to do much more that parrot back facts or offer the opinions of others. To answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” we must answer with our heart and not just our mind.
I can only imagine the silence that must have descended over the disciples when Jesus asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” They had probably been quick to offer answers to Jesus’ first question. But I suspect they did not have a ready answer to his second question. I wonder how long they sat in silence before Peter offered his answer: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s answer is significant for several reasons. First, Peter does not force Jesus into any human category; Peter accepts the fact that Jesus belongs in a divine category. Peter confesses that Jesus is not what we want him to be; rather Jesus is who God calls him to be. The distinction I am trying to make is the difference between human desire and divine call. If you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up you will get a variety of answers. But the one common theme is that every answer is a human desire; it is something we choose. A divine call is different. The boy Jesus did not decide one day that he wanted to be the Messiah when he grew up. Jesus is Messiah by divine call from the beginning. So, Peter’s answer that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of the living God recognizes that Jesus is not defined by human expectations; Jesus is defined by the divine word.
The second remarkable thing about Peter’s answer is Jesus’ response, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” How we gain information about the world comes from a few basic sources. First, we gain information through direct observation – we see something with our own eyes. Next, we gain information by hearing it from someone else. We learn about history or events in far off places by listening to the stories of others. And we also gain information through our reason. We make deductions based on our experience and observations. Many of our scientific theories are based on reason; they are deductions based on observation and logic. But, all of these fail when we try to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” The disciples had spent months or possibly years with Jesus and nothing they had seen or heard prepared them to say who Jesus is. And, there are no reference books that they could read to discover who Jesus is. Basically, our human information gathering skills are inadequate to answer Jesus’ question because Jesus is outside any of our human categories. But, Peter was able to give the right answer. How was Peter able to get it right when no one else could? Well, there is another way we gain information about the world and that is by revelation from God. What our eyes cannot see, God reveals to our hearts. What our ears cannot hear, God reveals to our souls. Our observations may be able to describe the wonders of the universe, but only God reveals its creator. Our observations may be able to describe the mechanics of biology but only God reveals the miracle of life. Who do you say Jesus is? Flesh and blood cannot reveal this to you, but only the Father in heaven.
There is also a key difference between the information we gain by human means and the information we receive by divine revelation. Humanly generated information remains just that, information. But, divinely revealed information is transformational – it changes us – it makes us a new creation. In his letter to the Romans, Paul warns us against being conformed to the world. I think he is talking about being limited by the world’s way of thinking. The world is concerned about the things we can see and touch, and if we are conformed to the world then we will be limited by the material world. The material world can only put Jesus into human categories; the material world can only see the flesh and blood of our bodies; the material world only sees the drudgery of today and anticipates the death that will come tomorrow. But, God’s revelation that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of the living God is transforming knowledge. Because of God’s revelation we know that Jesus is more than prophet or teacher; we know that Jesus is the Word incarnate come to reveal the mysteries of God. Because of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ we know that we are more than flesh and blood; we know God has breathed into us the breath of life. Because of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ we know that the trials of today will give way to the glory of God’s Kingdom. Because of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ we know that death is not an end to be feared but the transition to life eternal. Because of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ we know the world is not mired in meaningless chaos but is loved by its compassionate creator.
So, how do we move from human centered information and receive God’s transforming revelation? How do we go from conforming to the world to being transformed by the power of God? Flesh and blood can only go so far before we must recognize that our will and our strength are inadequate. But, what is impossible for humans to discover is revealed to us by the Father when we ask God to open our hearts and transform our minds.
When we come before God and ask him to open our hearts and transform our minds he will reveal to us the mystery that is Jesus Christ. When we ask, God will reveal to us the love that compelled the Father to give his only begotten Son so that we might have everlasting life. When we ask, God will reveal the compassion that compelled Christ to offer his life on the cross so that we might live free from sin. When we ask, God will reveal the grace that compelled the Holy Spirit to enter our lives so we might serve God with joy. When we ask, God will remove the sin and fear that smothers us and will fill us with the transforming love of Christ so that we may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect – that is the perfect will of God.
So, who do you say Jesus is? Will you give one of the world’s answers? Or, will you ask God to fill you with his transforming revelation? Then you will know without any doubt that Jesus is the Messiah; you will know without any uncertainty that Jesus is the Son of the living God. And with your mind transformed you will live in the good and acceptable and perfect love of God.
(closing prayer)
Father Almighty,
I ask you to transform me by your divine revelation;
so, I will know that Jesus is my Messiah and Lord
know that Jesus is my God;
And, know that Jesus is my Savior.
Amen.