When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the son of man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah and, still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my father in heaven. 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. [Matthew 16:13-18]
A theologian of the early church was asked a pertinent question. The question put to him was: "Who do you say Jesus is?" Knowing the treachery behind the question, that the way he answered could give his enemies some reason to accuse him, the theologian gave his honest answer.
At the time, being a Christian was a criminal act, punishable by death. Yet the Christian theologian responded, "Jesus fasted in the wilderness and so began his ministry by being hungry, yet he is the bread of life. Jesus was weary, yet he is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet he is our king. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet he is the owner of the world. Jesus was brought like a sheep to the slaughter, yet he is the good shepherd. As Jesus hung on the cross, he said, 'I thirst', yet he is living water. Jesus died, yet he is life everlasting. You ask me who I say Jesus is? I say, 'Jesus is my lord, my savior, my all in all'."
In the above text, when Jesus put the question to his disciples: "Who do people say that the son of Man is?" They gave him an academic answer, the opinion of others. "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." However, they were slow to give their personal opinions.
While the other disciples were giving the safe answer, Peter, the impulsive one, spoke up and made his personal confession. "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." Peter, who was always speaking from the top of his head, got it right. The spirit of God was guiding him in his confession.
Peter's confession is the foundation of our faith. Jesus said "Upon this rock, I will build my church." What rock was Jesus talking about? The rock that forms the foundation about which Jesus was speaking was not Peter. The rock Jesus was talking about was the faith that Peter confessed. "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." This faith is the cornerstone of the Christian church.
Many people answer that question like the disciples did. Some say Jesus is only a prophet. Others say that he is everything except the Messiah, the son of God. Who is the man called Jesus to you?
This question now becomes personal. None of us can take the safe way out anymore. We have to make our personal confession. Who is Jesus to us? We cannot get to heaven because of what our church believes. We cannot see the face of God because of what our family believes.
We, individually, have to confess our personal faith in Jesus Christ. In the illustration, the theologian made his confession in Jesus knowing that it could have caused him his life. Yes, Jesus is the Christ. He is our prophet, priest and king. He is God incarnate. Amen.
o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, telephone 323-4107; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com, Website: www.Nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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