One of the most popular game shows in recent years, if not all-time, is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? When the show first came out, it was hosted by well-known television personality Regis Philbin. Now, in syndication, its host is The Today Show’s Meredith Vieira. Regardless of host, both versions of the program have always drawn a sizable amount of viewers. Both versions have had the same basic format of a contestant answering several multiple-choice questions en route to the big question worth a million bucks. Both versions also employ the use of lifelines, which are helps that the contestant may use in order to stay in the game even when a question has them stumped. But the thing that both versions have in common that sticks out the most—the saying that kind of became the catch phrase for the show—is when the host would ask the player, upon the player’s response, “Is that your final answer?”
The idea behind asking whether or not that contestant wanted to make their answer their final answer was that it gave them the chance to change their mind; it gave them the chance to re-think what they had said—and perhaps to reply differently.
In today’s Gospel text, we have painted for us a scene of Jesus speaking with his disciples. In recent weeks, we have recalled the stories of Jesus walking on the water and healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter. The disciples had been witnesses to many glorious and amazing things this man had done up to this point. But now—after having presented a substantial amount of proof—Jesus decides it is time to get to the heart of the matter by asking his followers to weigh in on the topic of who, exactly, he is. Jesus wants to make sure they have been paying attention.
So he asks, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16.13, ESV). There are some interesting things about this inquiry. First, it is noteworthy that Christ wants to know who other people—those outside his group of friends—say that he is. He wants to know what the general consensus is. “What’s the buzz?” Jesus seems to say. I have always felt that Jesus phrased his query in this manner as a means of showing his concern for the other—for those who were on “the outside.” Surely Jesus believed that his closest followers would know and understand who he was; he hoped for this, anyway. But he appears to have some concern for the ones on the opposite side of the fence—those who were not yet part of his flock. Jesus wanting to know what people were saying about him leads me to believe that we, as his followers, need to concern ourselves with what people are saying about him. We cannot fulfill the commission to make disciples for him otherwise.
Another thing that grabs my attention is the posing of the question itself—not the way in which it is asked (which is what we just discussed), but the fact it was asked, period. After all, being the Son of God—and God incarnate—would you not think that he would know the answer to such a question? The Scriptures tell us in other places that Jesus knew what people were thinking within themselves. So then, should he not have known what folks were saying about him? It is my belief that he absolutely knew what the masses thought of him; however, he wanted the disciples to ponder what the masses thought of him. Jesus wanted his followers to contemplate what it was others were saying about him, in order for them to gain a clearer perspective of the truth he had revealed to them. In other words, he questioned the disciples in this manner so that they might see how the world’s perception of Jesus stacked up against what Jesus himself had shown them regarding his identity. By taking time to reflect on this comparison, one view would be judged false while the other would be deemed correct. In light of the evidences he had presented, Jesus was confident the truth would be apparent.
As I have said many times on Sunday evenings, since we have been studying other world religions, the goal of the study is to understand faiths that are different from ours. But more than that, it is to help us—in light of what we learn about them—gain a greater appreciation for our own beliefs. I feel that a Christian’s faith should only be strengthened when he or she observes what others claim to be true. Because when their truth is placed side-by-side with the truth, the one that is fallacious will crumble—while the one that is genuine will remain, and shine.
For, to be sure, misconceptions and misunderstandings about Jesus abound in our day and age—just as they did when our Savior walked this earth. When the disciples answered Jesus, they said, “Some say [you are] John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16.14, ESV). Now for most people, to have these things said about them would be a tremendous compliment. If any of you were compared with—or confused with—one of these giants of the faith, how would it make you feel? Probably ten feet tall and bulletproof. And it is true, all of these persons were great—in their own ways. But they did not have the same purpose that Jesus did, nor were they capable of carrying out the plan the Father had placed on his life. While certain men and women throughout this world’s history have accomplished marvelous things, Jesus stands head and shoulders above the rest. For he (and he alone) was set aside as the One—the only One—through whom humankind could be redeemed.
Still, varying views concerning the person of Jesus circulate and are widespread. The Buddhist would say Jesus was an enlightened man. The Hindu would say he was a guru or spiritual leader. The Jew—in less conservative traditions, anyway—would say he was a magnificent rabbi, or teacher. The Muslim would say he was a prophet, a miracle-worker sent by Allah. But none of them—no matter who you asked—would confess him as God’s Son. And notice that all of them would use “was” to refer to Jesus; he lived and died, end of story. But my friends, Jesus not only was but is more—so much more than that! He is because, though he was crucified on Calvary’s hill for our transgressions, he emerged from the grave three days later—alive for all eternity! And this, more than anything else, proves that Jesus is who he claimed to be—the Son of God himself. But this truth also places Jesus at a level that no other religious figure will ever reach. Not Gandhi, not Mohammed, not Confucius, not the Dalai Lama, not any of the popes, not Mother Teresa, not even John Wesley—none of them will ever come close to touching Jesus. No, not one.
So Jesus poses another question to his followers: “…who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16.15, ESV). He knew who he was and why he had come; now he wanted to make sure they knew. Briefly, there was silence. Then Peter spoke up: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16.17, ESV). Notice that Jesus posited this to all of them. He did not pull Peter aside and ask only him; he asked the whole group. But none of them—though they had witnessed the same signs and wonders Peter had, and had been provided for and shepherded with the same love and care—could come up with a single thing to say. Not one could concoct a reply. You would think they would have at least taken a crack at it—maybe blurted out a guess. But no, they stood there looking not-so-bright and without any sort of reply.
This makes me wonder how many there are who have followed Jesus for some time but still do not really know who he is. It makes me wonder if there might be some who know a lot of facts and figures about the life he lived and the ministry he stood for, but still have no intimate relationship with him. If it was possible for those men (who had been nearer to him than most of us will ever be on this side of heaven), then I have to believe it is possible for we who claim to be his followers today.
But good ol’ Peter steps up to the plate and knocks one out of the park. He makes a confession of faith that should serve as a model for all who would seek to make Jesus Lord of their lives. In verse seventeen Jesus calls Peter “blessed” (ESV), and concedes to the notion that God the Father gave him the knowledge of Christ’s identity.
Then Jesus says, “…you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…” (Matthew 16.18, ESV). Now some groups believe and teach that Jesus was here indicating that Peter would be elevated above the rest of the apostles—that he would be their leader. Truly, he did have an important role within the group—and often led—but I do not think that was the crux of what Jesus was saying. Some think the implication here is that Jesus meant the Church universal would be founded with Peter as its chief—that he would be the one in charge. This has led to many Roman Catholics believing that Peter was actually the first pope. While these arguments might have some validity to them, I do not think Christ’s main focus was on Peter himself; rather, I tend to believe Christ was lauding Peter’s faithful affirmation.
The way I read this passage, Christ is saying that it is that affirmation—that declaration that Jesus is the Messiah and God’s one and only beloved Son—that the Church would be built upon. So, then, it is not Peter, but Peter’s creed that is the rock. Indeed, Jesus is the Cornerstone—and the truth he revealed to his disciples (and continues to reveal to us, in us, and through us today) is the foundation. It can be no other way. Without having the same acknowledgement in our hearts that Peter had in his, the Church cannot survive. We can look to the apostle as an example, but ultimately it is the words he spoke that day which mean the most to us. We would do well to make those words our own.
I bring you this message today because it is of the utmost importance that we see Jesus for who he really is—that we know him, in a personal way, as Savior and Lord. Others may say this, others may say that. But Jesus comes to each one of us, individually, to ask us if we know who he is. The thing is, we may have lived a good part of our lives thinking we knew—when in reality we had no idea. We may have thought we were right on the money concerning Christ—as many have, even though they were gravely mistaken. But this, dear friends, is why Jesus reveals himself to us—so that we do not have to be erroneous in our beliefs, misguided in where we place our faith, or foolish regarding to whom we ascribe worth and honor. We simply have to allow our hearts to be open enough to receive him.
So now we find ourselves in the Hot Seat. The lights dim, the drum rolls, and the tension rises. God, our gracious host, has provided the lifelines of prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and the sacraments—just to name a few. Now it is time to play, Who Wants to Be a Disciple? Whether or not you win this game depends not on being able to answer a massive barrage of questions; truly, myriad questions will arise and we may not always know how to respond. But here, the outcome hangs upon your answer to one little question: who do you say Jesus is? Is that your final answer?
