Saturday, February 28

Scripture: 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?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

UPON THIS ROCK

“But who do you say I am?”

It was not a trick question, not something asked lightly to fill up an empty moment. It was the most important question. Despite what others say about me, who do you say I am?

Our lives depend on how we answer this question. Who do you say Jesus is?

In him, in the human, in the frail miracle of unending God wrapped in physical life, we live and move and have our being. If we don’t get the answer to this question right then we will get nothing right. Not one thing.

Who do you say I am?

Peter knew the answer because he accepted the gift of knowledge God gave him. And this life for all of us is really just a gift from God. All knowledge, power, and ability are things that were given to us. Knowing God and knowing who he is, is a gift. When we get something right, it’s because we have help. I cling onto truth in the face of evil because his hands wrap around mine and hold my grip firmly. I see the goal set before me accurately because he opens my eyes and illuminates my way. I am not afraid to run the race because I do not run alone.

It is in his strength, with his power and authority that we move. It is with his wisdom that we avoid catastrophe. It is for his Kingdom that we fight. It is in his will, his desires, that we finally learn how to want the right things.

If you don’t know the answer, if you are unsure with how to proceed in responding, ask him for the answer. Ask. Ask for the faith to believe the right answer. Ask for the ears to hear the right answer. Ask. Because once you have the answer, your life can begin. Once you know who he is, you can know who you truly are.

Peter answered correctly and so could start living his intended purpose. God gave Peter the authority, power, and tools to do his job. God will give you what you need to do the work he has for you: once you answer the question.

Do not worry about how he will do it. This is the God who makes life out of death.

Now, answer the question for yourself. Who do you say Jesus is? Let this answer be true in your soul, to the deep core of who you truly are.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

PRAYER
Thank you Lord for building your church on Peter the Rock, someone we can all identify with. He was the first confessor, declaring Christ to be the Son of God. His humility in life and death help us understand how to live. Peter identified Christ as the “living cornerstone of your temple” and us as “living stones” and “holy priests” who are being built into your spiritual dwelling place. Make us worthy of that high calling.
Amen.

Laurel Yoshimoto, Alumna, School of Education