Mixed Messages

“Who do you say I [Jesus] am?” Matthew 16:15

Have you ever known the right thing to do, but did the wrong thing? If you haven’t, you are certainly exceptional compared to most of us. There are all kinds of examples in the Bible beginning with Adam and Eve. They knew what was right but chose to act on what was wrong. Seems like that must be a family trait they have passed on.

The Pharisees and Sadducees continually tried to harass Jesus. These groups were set on proving that Jesus was a Master of Deception and not to be trusted. Time after time they set traps for Jesus to fall in, but they fell in their own traps. So, in this context of harassment, disbelief, and always wanting to see an amazing sign, Jesus asked his own disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The disciples gave him answers such as John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” In verse 16-17, Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Peter must have been in awe of Jesus’s blessing and that the Father in heaven revealed to him such a truth.

Jesus, a few verses farther, tells his disciples of some horrific things to come. Jesus shares the news that he is on this death walk to the cross to suffer and be killed and on the third day be raised to life. In verse 22, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never Lord!’ he said. This shall never happen to you.” Peter’s deep anguish overruled the truth of who Jesus really was.

Like Peter, most of us have allowed the truth to be blurred in our lives because of pain, temptation, wanting things our way, disappointment etc. Jesus rebuked Peter and told him plainly in verse 23, “you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Jesus did not toss Peter out of the disciple circle, but set the example of forward motion to God’s plan. Peter accepted it, caught it, taught it and despite imperfections, was a pillar of New Testament Church. God is so faithful in giving us course adjustments to put lives back on track with Him. Aren’t you glad that Jesus doesn’t leave us, but teaches us all along the way?

Pastor Ruth Kaunley