Pentecost 13

Pentecost 14 “WHAT ABOUT YOU?” 8/18&21/05

The world can’t seem to make up its mind as to the true identity of the greatest person in human history! Speculation and debate regarding who Jesus is still run rampant in our day. Time magazine put a depiction of Jesus on their cover with this inscription, “Who Is This Man?” It is the same question Jesus asked of His disciples. There was debate within the early church concerning this great question. Some said Jesus was just a human, others declared He was all divine and just seemed to be human, while still others claimed Jesus was half God and half man. The early church fathers addressed this question in the creeds and have distilled the truth of the Word to the basic fact that Jesus is the God-man; fully human and fully divine. We confess our faith through these Creeds tonight/today. But, there are those who simply ignore Jesus…the New Age Movement, Humanism, Secularism, Scientology, Witchcraft, and others. But Jesus made the most exclusive claim in the history of the world when He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life---no one comes to the Father but by me.”

Our Gospel story begins simply enough, as Jesus gathers His disciples in the district of Caesarea Philippi. Nearby is a grand city, named after and built to honor Caesar, the emperor of Rome. It is a city on the border between Israel and the Gentile world. If you face west, there is Rome and the expectation that you will declare Caesar as god. If you face east and look to Jerusalem, you stand within the Jewish tradition and look for the coming Messiah. At this border crossing comes Christ’s question about worship. Jesus must know and the disciples, of every age, must decide…

This lesson is one of the most preached texts of the Bible, presenting timeless questions no one can ultimately avoid. Some say this is the most debated biblical text, referring to the Roman Catholic and Protestant division regarding the lineage of Peter and the meaning of Christ’s statement: “On this rock I will build my church.” Our reading is certainly a deeply challenging text for each of us, as Jesus turns to us and asks: “What about you? Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

I was once told, “Show me a person’s date book and checkbook and I’ll tell you who their god is.” The premise is this: wherever, or in whomever, a person invests their time and their money will indicate their god…what they deem supreme…that to which they turn…that upon which they depend for meaning, purpose, and identity. If someone were to examine your date book and checkbook, what would they learn? If outsiders were to examine our congregation’s monthly ministries and Ministry Plan, who would they come away thinking Jesus is? “What about you? Who do you say Jesus is?”

Turn to a person near you and tell them, briefly, who Jesus is to you---

I heard sounds of nervous laughter…some of you seemed to share freely…some of you appeared unwilling, or perhaps unable, to share…some of you wished I hadn’t asked this of our worshiping congregation…some are obviously more comfortable when I do all the talking during the sermon…still others have never really considered Christ’s question: “Who do you say I am?”

This is Jesus’ question of all who follow Him. His time in human flesh upon the earth is growing short. Jesus seems to wonder, “Is there anyone who understands me?”---“Is there anyone who recognizes who I truly am?”---“When I return to my Father, will anyone carry on my work?”. If no one grasped the truth about Jesus, then his labors would all be undone. Jesus’ question, then and now, raises a crucial issue. All He had taught to that point now hinged upon these followers of His. If they understood His identity, then His work would continue and prosper!

Consider how momentous all of this is! This homeless, penniless Galilean carpenter has called 12 ordinary men to be with Him. He asks this question in a place littered with the temples of the Syrian gods, a place where ancient Greek gods had looked down, the home of Caesar worship, and asks these men who they believe Him to be. Only Peter seemed able to answer…1 disciples out of 12 could answer Christ’s question. I wonder: “Has this percentage increased or decreased over 2000 years?”

On trial in the year 381 A.D., Gregory of Nazianzus was asked: “Who do you say Jesus is?” Aware it would cost him his life, he answered:

“Jesus fasted in the wilderness and so began His ministry in hunger, 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 thirty 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. Jesus hung on the cross and said, “I thirst,” yet He is the Living Water. Jesus died, yet in Him is Life Everlasting.” This is what he said 17 centuries ago…what did you say tonight/today? What will you say tomorrow? Amen.