Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 16:13-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Verse 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Verse 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Verse 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Verse 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. Verse 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Verse 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Verse 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Devotion
Jesus asks, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" The responses vary. Up until now "some people" have been saying Jesus is a teacher, a prophet, an especially good man or a fire and brimstone preacher. But Jesus isn't interested in what "some people" are saying. He knows that his friends have looked and listened. They have seen him preach and teach and heal. They have heard the declarations of faith by Gentiles and sinners. They know how Jesus operates. Now, Jesus puts them on the spot and asks, "But who do you say that I am?"
Jesus isn't setting up his friends to fail. Instead, he's giving them the opportunity to speak out of their own experience. To risk becoming followers of this Jesus by speaking aloud and owning what they have heard and seen.
Prayer
God of grace, you proclaim your love to us in your Holy One, Jesus. Keep announcing that love to us so that we can share God's love with others. Amen.