Matthew 16:13-20 Pentecost 14
Rev. Dr. Bruce Roth
I. Crystal Clear Water: Few things are as beautiful or refreshing as crystal-clear water.
A. Sitting at the Beach
1. Going to the aquarium.
2. Nothing refreshes quite as well as a cold glass of crystal-clear water.
3. Let that image wash over you for a few moments. What do you see? Do you see the sparkling sunlight glistening on the surface? Do you see the myriad of life that lives within it? Do you see through the water to the soft sand below?
4. Clear water hides nothing. You can see through it to whatever is present. It’s transparent. It’s revealing. It’s an image I want you to have in mind as we answer the question that Jesus asks in the gospel of Matthew. It is crystal clarity that we seek as we answer the question for ourselves today.
B. Fact is, few things are truly crystal clear.
1. Ocean was rather murky.
2. Most of the answers to questions in life are not crystal clear either. As I grow older and, hopefully, wiser, I am learning to hold my opinions a little less tightly. As I look back at my life, I see far too many times when I have felt absolutely certain but have been positively wrong.
3. Clarity is about truth, not just about how strongly you hold your convictions.
II. Today’s reading is often called “Peter’s declaration.’ Or Peter’s confession.
A. In it Peter reaches a moment of clarity about who Jesus is.
1. Let’s take a moment to pray for such clarity in our own confession. Lord Jesus, reveal yourself to us today in your work and our hearts that we may hear your question, “Who do you say that I am?” and respond with faith that is crystal clear. Help us to know you. Amen
In Matthew 16, Jesus and his disciples are traveling in a district called Caesarea Philippi when Jesus asks them a question. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Understand, Jesus is the only one who speaks that title in the gospels and when he does, he is always referring to himself. In other words, he is asking “Who do people say I am?”
The disciples provide an answer to the question—and provide a list of dead people. The suggestion was that Jesus was one of the great figures from Israel’s history returned from the dead. Jesus must have reminded them of the prophetic voices of their history because he had the ability to see life as it was intended and declared how God intended life to be.
The interesting thing is that people today are asking the very same question Jesus asked his disciples. Some say that Jesus was a prophet. Others say he was a teacher, or a good man, a model of the godly life.
In our text, Jesus personalizes the question and asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, who is always brash and impetuous answers with a moment of God-inspired clarity, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus responds to Peter with a beatitude, a blessing. “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah.” Then he tells Peter that this was not something he figured out on his own, but that God revealed this truth to him. Then Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter which means “rock” and declares that it is upon this rock Jesus will build his church and nothing, not even the gates of hades will prevail against it. Peter will have the keys to the Kingdom. This is where we get that image of Peter standing at the Pearly Gates. Peter, the disciples have it right. They are clear.
What about you? Who do you say that Jesus is? This is one of the most important questions you’ll ever answer. Your answer will lead to the transformation of your life. But, before you answer that question, I want you to answer another question.
B. Who do you say that I am? I mean me.
1. Pastor? Friend?
2. My wife would have a few other things to say! As would my sons. A friend of mine from high school that I haven’t seen for 40 years might say something else.
Your answer might be crystal clear—but none of them would be complete. Your answer will depend on the relationship you have with me and the experiences we’ve shared. It probably depends on how well you know me.
When you answer the question “Who is Jesus” your answer will also depend upon your relationship and the experiences you have shared. It depends on how well you know him.
And how do we get to know him? Jesus told Peter that his crystal clear confession came from something other than himself—it was revealed by God to him and that revelation comes by being in relationship with God—by opening ourselves to God’s self revealing. How do we do that?
First, through prayer. Jesus prayed. His disciples asked him how to pray. Prayer is about sharing our heart and listening for the heart of God in return. To understand who Jesus is—pray.
Worship. In worship we offer our praise and ourselves to God. As we give God glory, we receive from God abundant grace. God sues the songs, prayers, scripture readings, sermons, sacraments and the witness of those who gather around us as a means of revelation. Worship helps us to share and participate in the vision of God.
God is revealed in scripture. Reading scripture is a part of our worship but the greatest invitation is for each of us to take God’s words in our hands and find the story of who Jesus is as revealed in scripture. I know reading the Bible can be intimidating, but clarity grows as our relationship with God grows and as we study. Relationships require familiarity.
Serving is another opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. Mother Teresa was the 20th century’s prime example. She served the poorest of the poor in India because she saw Jesus in the face of each person she served.
Our relationship with God will grow as we grow in relationship with others. We need to be in fellowship with one another—through large group celebrations and small group gatherings so that we can gain greater perspective of our lives.
Our relationship with God will grow as we learn to give. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” As we grow in relationship with God our giving will also grow. God wants us to tithe because God knows that as our joy in giving increases so will our relationship with God.
The disciples had been with Jesus for nearly three years before Jesus asked them the question we are asking today: “Who do you say that I am?” Their clarity grew out of their relationship with him. Our clarity ultimately grows out of the crystal-clear water in which we were bathed—it starts us on our way and grows as we pray, as we worship, as we read, as we serve, as we relate, and as we give.
Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” And he was blessed. May we all be so blessed. Amen.