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
Who are you, really? Answers might include our relationships, work, joys and hobbies, our passions and interests. We remember our stories and our heritage. Life’s successes and joys live alongside our failures and hurts.
But asking what others think of us? That always ends up short. Polite answers we hope. Yet others know little compared with an inner world that is ours alone. That is a humble focus. We don’t fully know others. Yet we are quick to put others in categories.
It’s a bit risky for Jesus to ask such an open question. The answers have difficulty looking deeper than the surface, trying to put Jesus in a container that easily defines him. Peter finally breaks through to a surprising answer that’s infinite, without boundaries. He points to a savior in relationship with a lively God, a bringer of shalom. A living God knows all of us, sinner and saint. That’s the key to life.
Prayer
Help us, God of truth, to be the truth that speaks of your love. Help our minds to seek those higher ways of grace and love, to uplift our world. Amen.