“Who do you say I am?” (Matt 16:15) this question, asked by Jesus in Caesarea Philippi, is one of the great questions everyone must wrestle with. And in the Gospels it’s Peter who seemingly gives the right answer “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16) Jesus commends his answer and famously gives Peter a founding role in the church.
But as we read on, something unsettling happens. Jesus begins to predict his coming death and resurrection and Peter protests “Never Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Jesus’ response couldn’t be more strongly worded: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matt 16:23) Truly knowing who Jesus is, is inseparable from accepting what he has done.
Ed