Thoughts for the Day

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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

These events in today's reading from Matthew's Gospel take place in the region of Caesarea Philippi. It was a territory north of Galilee and was ruled by Herod the Great's Son Philip II (or Philip the Tetrarch). Situated near Mount Hermon it had attracted Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans over the centuries and many pagan gods were worshipped there. It is here that Jesus asks Peter a question about his identity, perhaps because it was not the time to reveal his true identity to the world in Galilee just yet. When he did this it would, as we know, lead to his death.

As believers we have to answer the same question Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” We also have to answer it in a not dissimilar world - a world which is often hostile to Christianity - think of being a Christian in say, Nigeria, where Christians are persecuted for their faith. We can’t just coast along happily, our answer must be shown in how we live. Peter’s faith was to give him the strength to say "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" and he would follow Christ to the end of his life, which in his case was thought upside down on a cross.

Many in our world believe that Jesus was a good man, or that he was a prophet, but to take the last step and admit him as their Saviour - the Son of God - can be a step too far. Peter failed Jesus a number of times, but always he picked himself up and grew stronger. It was this man, all too human, who would become the rock on which Christ's Church would be built.

Lord Jesus Christ,
when our faith is strong and we are steadfast
give us the courage to speak out and claim You as the Messiah,
God's Son, and the Second Person of the Trinity.
When our faith is weak and we are unsure
draw near to bolster our unsteady steps
until we are ready to move forward once again.
Let us never forget the task You assign to us:
to go out into the world and spread the gospel.
Amen.