Matthew 16:13-19 NRSVue
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 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. 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. 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.”
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Reflection on Matthew 16:13-19
Inspiration from 2027-02-22 Daily Prayer
‘But who do you say that I am?’ The word ‘but’ is crucial and shifts the emphasis onto the ‘you’ part of the question. Jesus is not asking the disciples what they have heard about him from others or what they understand intellectually from their time with him. He is asking them, “Do you really know me”?
Today’s feast reminds us of our responsibility as followers of Christ. We need more than good intentions or lip service, or to rely on what others tell us to do. As individuals and as Church, we follow in Peter’s footsteps when we tackle this deep question of Jesus: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Bring this question to meditation today. What flows in response to this question?
Further reflection
The traditional setting for this memorable encounter in Caesarea Philippi is a lovely riverbank under a huge rocky cliff. Jesus asks: /Who do people say that I am?/ Impetuous Peter, always ready to speak out and take risks, confesses Jesus as the Messiah. It is an inspired confession. This uneducated fisherman, who was to prove so shaky when Jesus was arrested, is rewarded with a new name, suggested by the great solid rock above them; and with a new role, leading the people of God. His strength is not in his warm, impetuous nature, but in the power of God.
Lord, you did not leave us orphans. We are the people of God, with a leader, and the support of the Holy Spirit. I am not alone.
The motley band of the twelve with Peter as leader would guide the future community of Jesus. They believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and later they would die for that. Our community today is somewhat similar - the motley group who are saintly and sinful, but who with firm faith believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Peter is praised today within the church for his belief and faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God. This faith would lead him into times of doubt, of unfaithfulness, and eventually to martyrdom. The first call in his following of Jesus was to grow in the faith that would sustain his life. May our faith do the same.
When I see the failings of the church, I wonder about its foundation on the rock. Then I think: the gates of Hell -- sometimes in the shape of inner corruption -- have not prevailed. The people of God is still vigorous, and growing, and holy in countless hidden ways, still sustained by the vision of God made visible in Jesus. I can still echo Peter: /You are the son of the living God./