Matthew 16: 13-20
In today’s gospel reading we are in Caesarea Philippi where Jesus is asking his disciples one of the most familiar questions in all the Bible, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” I doubt however, that Jesus was really all that interested in what the crowd thought about him. He knew that masses of people are quite fickle and easily led astray. We only have to look around us today. There are lots of people who will follow just about anybody, or anything for that matter, who does something wildly different. Jesus wasn’t really concerned about what the masses were thinking about him for he knew that some in the crowds cheering him now, would later shout the loudest for his crucifixion. However, he was concerned when he turned to his disciples and asked them, “And who do you say that I am?” Jesus’ plan for the salvation of the world lay with this small group of men. He was building a team that would carry on after he was gone. The only thing that mattered to Jesus was their opinion. Who did they think he was?
And that, I believe, is Jesus’ main concern for those of us who call ourselves his disciples today. Who do you think he is? I won’t embarrass you by going around the church and asking you one by one, but you know something, it is actually that important. Who do you think he is? It doesn’t matter what people outside these walls think. They are not the ones called to be the light of the world, But it matters immensely what you and I think, for He is counting on us to offer up our lives in service to his kingdom. He is counting on us to be about the Father’s business in our homes, at school and at work and in all our important relationships. What we think of him is of vital importance. It will determine the level of our loyalty and the intensity of our commitment. Who do you say Christ is?
The best place to find out about Jesus Christ is in the Bible. In the very first book in the Bible, the book of Genesis, the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, turn away from God to Satan and sin. Then they know fear and shame and hide themselves. But God acts. In the cool of the evening God walks in their garden. “Where are you?” He queries. Finding them, he begins to unfold His divine redeeming strategy. At God’s initiative an animal is slain, the first blood sacrifice, and the promise of a saviour is prophesied, one who would crush Satan. In other religions we have Confucius, Mohammed and Buddha who are only the initiative of man, but the distinct uniqueness of Christ, is that he is the initiative of God himself.
Another distinctive of Jesus Christ is that his life and ministry were predicted long before he was born. The Old Testament was written over a 1,500 year period, yet in its 39 books a saviour is predicted 300 times and these just weren’t vague prophesies like people read today in the stars, but were very specific. 300 prophesies and yet guess what! Jesus Christ fulfilled everyone of them!
In Christ’s teachings, a further distinctive is found. Other religious leaders said, “I have taught you the truth,” but Jesus said, “I am the truth.” There are many, many people today who would like to say that Jesus Christ was a great teacher, but he was not God. But here’s the thing that we need to take heed of: Christ has not left that option open to us. Either he is right or he is wrong. You must decide, because sitting on the fence is not an option. The New Testament writers all tell us, that Jesus taught with such authority, and that his lifestyle never contradicted his words. Merciful love, faultless character and extraordinary miracles accompanied his every utterance.
I guess like countless millions around the world, many of you will be glued to the TV when we have the World Rugby, following many of the games. Well, in 1896, when Athens renewed the Olympic Games, you can imagine how proud the Greeks were to host the first modern Olympics, but imagine their disappointment when their own athletes experienced a lack of success in event after event. It wasn’t until the last competition, the marathon, that word reached the stadium, that a lone runner approaching the stadium was their own entrant named Louis, a virtually unknown shepherd. As the excitement grew, Prince George of Greece hurried to the stadium entrance where he met Louis and ran with him to the finish line. I wonder how many of you knew this story?
The point of telling it to you, is this. In this story we have something of the history of the human race. Most historical figures make their impact, achieve a measure of fame, books may even be written about them, but as years go by, they begin to fade; less and less is written or spoken of their lives until they eventually rest in relative obscurity, as happened to Louis. With Jesus Christ, however, we find quite an opposite phenomena! While all others decrease, he increases until, as the Bible predicts, “To him, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Almost 2000 years ago a man was born contrary to the laws of nature. Born of a virgin, he lived in poverty, and was reared in obscurity. Never did he travel extensively, no big OEs for him! Only once or twice did he cross the boundary of Israel. He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His family had little education. In infancy he startled a ruling monarch. In childhood, he puzzled learned scholars. In adulthood, he ruled nature walking upon the sea and hushing a storm.
He healed the multitudes of blind, lame, mute, possessed and he did it without medicine and made no charge for his services. He never wrote anything down, and yet the libraries of the world bulge with the volumes written about him.
He never practiced medicine and yet he has healed more broken spirits and hearts than modern medicine near and far. He never started a university, yet all the universities of the world cannot boast of having as many disciples.
He never commanded an army, fired a gun, drafted as a soldier, or ran for political office, yet no officer or king ever had more volunteers who have, under his orders, marched into every valley of human need, to begin orphanages, schools and hospitals, to right wrongs and institute justice And every Sunday, multitudes assemble in churches worldwide to worship him as Saviour and Lord.
The names of athletes, movie stars, artists, presidents, kings and queens, have come and gone; but the name of this person grows in time. Though over 2000 years from his birth, yet he lives today! Herod could not kill him. Satan could not seduce him. Death could not obliterate him and the grave could not hold him.
He stands forth upon the earth as God Incarnate, the King of glory, Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord; our Messiah.
Proclaimed by prophets, heralded by angels, worshipped by saints, feared by devils, he asks each of us today,
“Who do you say that I am?”
And my question this morning is, “what is your response?”
