The Confession of Peter

January 18, 1998

Matthew 16:13-20

The regular lectionary lessons for this day are from John, chapter 2, and the first miracle of Jesus: changing water into wine. But also this 18th of January is a day to remember the great confession of Peter, as found in Matthew 16, the passage that has just been read. Obviously, I have chosen this latter text as the focus of this homily.

Evidently it was important that the disciples be aware of what people thought of their Master. It is important for us as well. This is a 'watershed question,' perhaps the 'watershed question' of all time. Thousands of books have been written to answer this question. I read a very fine one this week— maybe the best I have ever read: Philip Yancey's The Jesus I Never Knew. It was a blessing to me.

Ultimately what people say about Jesus to other people says more about them than it really does about Jesus Himself. A basic 'litmus test' of whether or not a church or denomination or para-church group is even Christian or not, at least from where I stand, is how they answer this first question: "Who do you say that Jesus is?" But that first question was just a preliminary for the one that followed. It may be important to hear what and who from other people. But Jesus looked at His own dear friends and asked them:

"But who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered it right. And if and when we answer it right it is a revelation question. Flesh and blood and apologetic and keen arguments and godly parents and long altar calls do not finally reveal to us who Jesus is. "Blessed are you, Simon, son of John, because flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but My Father who is in heaven!" When we answer it right it is a revelation! A penetration of faith! It was more than adding up the facts and making a judgment call. The disciples knew they were dealing with divinity. Jesus was pleased with Peter's answer, although in just a few moments he was scolding Peter for leaving revelation and going to his own ideas.

I suppose pastors are supposed to be specialists in telling people who Jesus is— but in a sense that is always another answer to the "Who does someone else say that I am?" question. Jesus is still asking us that second question— asking you, and as a matter of fact, asking me. It makes an honest pastor stop and think.

One reason I have stayed with the confession of Peter on this Sunday is that this second question comes again today on a sort of anniversary for me— actually a VERY BIG DAY of remembrance.

For it was exactly 50 years ago this very day, January 18, 1948, which was also a Sunday that year, that I came as a seventeen-year-old backslider to an altar of prayer and renewed a covenant with God that I had made as a child, and remade and stumbled over many times as a wayward teen—

— anyway from that night at 9:09 PM until today I have not once wavered in my determination to be God's. If I could go back and do it all over I might change some decisions, with hindsight. But God being my witness, I have been obedient to the call God has given me, and have no real regrets. But still this question deserves an answer that is here and now— up-to-date: Who is Jesus to me? —to you?

I have heard "Jesus" all my life, and I am comfortable in this faith as I have learned it, culturally and doctrinally, and all the other overlays of learning we could add. I am a Christian by birth, and a willing Christian by choice, baptized and to a point disciplined in devotional habits and the like.

Who is Jesus to me? How can I tell you honestly? ...

My God! Jesus is a PRESENCE! I have never seen him, but I cannot imagine life without Him. I talk to Him. I listen for him. I wish I could hear his voice but he does speak to me from time to time, as I'm sure he does to you as well.

A mystery - Awe and fear; or over-familiarity? Do i spend enough time reading the Source Book itself, and not just about it, or do I only read popularized stuff to make it more palatable? We can find a doctrine that makes us comfortable if we look— or we can pursue the knowledge of who Jesus really IS!

My Friend! Jesus is A FRIEND. But a friend with a capital "F." He is not my peer. He is not someone I consult with before I decide whether or not to do his will. There are many decisions I have to make, and Jesus lets me make them, along with my share of mistakes. But when I know when Jesus makes it clear that this is or is not his will there is no decision further. I have already decided years ago that I will follow my Friend. Openness and Growing Intimacy Jesus LOVES ME! I confess I don't know why. It is sometimes hard for me to believe. But I DO believe it! I learned "Jesus loves me this I know" before I can remember. I never knew a time when I didn't know that and sing that. But this love has been dawning on me, little by little, more and more, for all the years of my life! I really want to return that love!

My Unquestioned Master! Savior and Lord A settled relationship of obedience and trust. One way of looking at the sanctified life is that provisionally decisions are already made before we come to them; not, of course in the sense that we don't have to sweat out choices, and take all factors into consideration when we face those decisions— but the Christian has already decided whose side he will come down on; he never says again "Shall I do God's will?" but always the question simply is "What is God's will?" and then I will do it!!

WHO IS JESUS... REALLY... TO YOU, AND ME?

OUR WITNESS, IF NOT OUR SALVATION, hangs on how we answer that question Jesus asked the disciples so many years ago. WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

HOW DO YOU ANSWER IT, PERSONALLY?

Prayers (contemporary language)

Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the Living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen