Matthew 16:13-20
Who Do You Say Jesus Is, Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
When I think of the question of Who do I think Jesus is -the question He posed to His Disciples, I think about: Jesus' teachings on love, forgiveness, compassion, and helping others can provide the best moral framework for living a good abundant life...I think about what He said to Trust in God and to also Trust in Him...He is a Source of Hope and Comfort: Faith in Jesus can offer us hope in difficult times and the belief in an afterlife can bring comfort...Jesus give us a sense of purpose: Following Jesus' teachings can give a sense of purpose and direction in life...He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life...No one gets to God, except through Him...Jesus taught us about societies and communities and that everyone belongs: Many people find a sense of community and belonging through their faith in Jesus and participation in religious activities...Jesus can bring a transformation: Believers often report a transformative experience through faith in Jesus, leading to positive changes in their lives...And I think about how He said He was going to give the Disciples and us a Holy Spirit to indwell in us...
But I also think about His controversial side...Jesus seems to somehow be a very personal Presence in everyone's thoughts and even in their personal deeds...This is a sign the indwelt Holy Spirit is at work, nudging us, all of us to think about His Kingdom in Heaven...We can avoid these thoughts and think and focus on this earthly world, but this very personal Holy Spirit Presence of His can still make us uncomfortable...And because of this we can be less likely to talk about Him to others...Because of His actions, deeds, Teachings, and the Holy Spirit and the difficulty to practice them in life makes it difficult and uncomfortable...
Jesus had and still has a profound impact on the world and the "shock" of His Very Presence and Teachings evoke these uncomfortable personal feelings in many today...Many do not like to discuss His Teachings because of this bringing "shock and these uncomfortable feelings to us" as He brings up in them, as the Holy Spirit nudges all of us forward...Many people do not want to discuss His Teachings...Maybe they are as G. K. Chesterton said: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting...It has been found difficult; and left untried.”...His Teachings are hard to incorporate in our personal lives and therefore are left undone and untried...Some of Jesus' teachings, like loving your enemies and turning the other cheek, are undeniably difficult to put into practice...Walking that extra mile for someone you don't like is very hard to do...To give someone that is suing us our shirt, and then He tells us to hand over your coat as well...These are very, very tough Teachings...
We can still hope for more discussions about around Jesus and Who He Is...
These discussions about Jesus can be complex and touch on these sensitive personal beliefs...People might fear awkwardness or not be in disagreement with another's view on Him...This is because there is a diversity of beliefs in people...In today's diverse society, people hold a wide range of beliefs about Jesus and Christianity...Discussions can be challenging if there's a lack of understanding or respect for different viewpoints...Some people might worry about being judged or stereotyped for their faith, or for their lack of faith...
If one hasn't read the gospels, they are maybe unsure of how to talk about Him...Jesus is a Very Complex Being...Not everyone feels equipped to articulate their faith or answer complex theological questions...They might feel unsure how to have a productive conversation...
Past experiences might play a role with religious pushiness or negativity might make people hesitant to engage in discussions about Jesus...Some people call close followers, Bible Thumpers, because they want to have fewer thoughts about Jesus...
It is good if we all could get beyond "Shock of this Uncomfortableness."...While discomfort plays a role in not advancing talks with everyone, here are some additional reasons people might not discuss His Teachings and deeds...Secularization: In some parts of the world, secularism is dominant, and religious discussions might be seen as out of place in everyday conversations...There is personal disconnect with some who are focused on this world...Some people might simply not be interested in religion or haven't personally connected with Jesus' Teachings...They think more of this world than Jesus' World and Kingdom...Some have a focus on individuality: Modern culture often emphasizes personal experience and individuality...People might be hesitant to impose their beliefs on others...
It's important to note that not everyone avoids discussing Jesus...Many people are passionate about their faith and eager to share their beliefs with others...When we are talking about Jesus let us focus on common ground...Everyone has a need for love and forgiveness and mercy...Look for these types of shared values and emphasize the positive aspects of Jesus' message...Be respectful of others' beliefs: Even if you disagree, listen attentively and avoid being judgmental...Be open to learning: Be willing to learn from others and explore different perspectives and listen to their beliefs...When we focus on our personal experiences with Jesus and share our own experiences then the listener can see how He has impacted your life...Be clear about your intentions: If you want to share your faith, be upfront about it, but do so in a respectful and non-pushy way...
Jesus was seen be many, when He walked the earth as a Disruptive Figure...One might argue that Jesus wasn't a Comfortable Figure, since He came from God and knows all things...His life and teachings challenged the status quo and He still does, leaving people both fascinated and uncomfortable...
When we read the gospel let us think about His deeds, teachings and actions to those Jesus encountered...Most of those He spoke to and the various individuals had their lives forever changed...
As we read the gospels we can see His impact and controversy...He was especially controversial to the High Priest, the Sanhedrin, and the Pharisees...The enduring power of Jesus' message and the ongoing controversies surrounding His person and teachings remain with us today...
Jesus' Presence and Teachings continue to challenge and inspire people today...He still can make us uncomfortable...His life offers a radical alternative to the norms of the world, a different way to look at our societies...Reading and encountering Jesus and His Teachings can be transformative...Let us reflect on the significance of Jesus in our own life...Let us try to answer the question who do you think Jesus is as best we can -and then think about it and what He means to us...