[realigned theology]
It all began with a simple question which would turn the world upside down. It had become customary act if you will that when Jesus entered into a new region, he would send the disciples into the neighboring town, two by two, and they would inquire who they believed Jesus to be. This was strategic and intentional; this was a philosophy of ministry to Jesus. This allowed Jesus to gauge the town’s level of spirituality. He would know, right away, the likelihood of the people accepting him or rejecting him together.
So here is Jesus and the disciples packing up their bags and moving on to the next town. The gospel had to be preached as Jesus came to do just that. Once again, the Master sent out his followers into the town with the same question, “Who do you believe the Son of Man to be?” It was simple, it was direct and it caused reaction. On one occasion though, Jesus turned the tables around and it changed everything.
Matthew 16:13-16|
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Imagine the following scenario: You are a member of the original twelve disciples, called out by Jesus to follow him and you leave everything behind to pursue a life of being his disciple and joining him on mission. You start off learning that he is all about the love of God and is calling people to repent and he is healing every kind of disease and sickness. You stand in amazement at both his teachings and his work.
Jesus pours himself into you, teaching you, training you, encouraging you and mentoring you as you continue to follow him. Early one morning, you wake up to see Jesus off in the distance praying. You grin because you know this is standard for him and you start preparing breakfast for the band of misfits Jesus had called together.
As the others wake up, you begin serving them. Shortly after, Jesus joins the group and begins to eat. Jesus informs the group that they will be heading into the neighborhood to ask the people who they thought he was. This was standard so you thought nothing of it.
As you head out into town with another disciple, the two of you begin to discuss how Jesus has changed your life. You discuss the healing powers and miracles you have seen. You share how you both have witnessed the dead brought back to life and how the good news is being preached all over. You are witnesses to lives being changed. Jesus is the next big thing and you’re a part of the movement that he is releasing into the world.
As you enter into the town, you remember the simplicity of the mission. You were told to ask people who they thought Jesus was or might be. The message set the foundation for the mission. If the people were receptive and would give you a place to stay, you stayed. If the people were unreceptive and would not welcome you, you simply moved on. This was the standard method for ministry as you and the other disciples had been taught by Jesus.
As the ministry continues to grow, so does the popularity of Jesus. Yes, some opposition is faced from the Pharisees but much of their opposition comes in asking him really deep questions concerning the Law and Jesus always seems to have an answer for them. It becomes quite comical as Jesus can even ask them questions which makes them speechless, which is something you’ve wanted to do for years.
Finally, you and the other disciples return from the mission. A few days pass and you are all gathered together around a campfire. Jesus approaches and everyone stands to there feet. Jesus looks over the crowd of faces that are before him and he asks, “Who do the people say that the Son of Man is?”
One by one, the disciples begin to share what the people have considered him to be. “Ah, some say John the Baptist and others say Elijah. Some say Moses while others say just another religious fanatic. Some say you’re a lunatic and others just think you’re a cool dude.” The answers range from a prophet to a lunatic. Then Jesus brings the mission home as he lifts his voice again and asks, “Who do you say I am?”
The mission Jesus sent his disciples on now comes into focus as purpose is revealed. In the beginning, this mission seemed to be like every other mission, which was a survey of sorts. It was used as a gauge to determine spiritual receptivity of the area. The disciples would enter in, with nothing except the clothes on their own back and inquire of the people who they thought Jesus was.
What seemed to be a “Q & A” mission now begins to be seen as a mission about surrender. Jesus redirects and redefines the mission to the heart of those who were living the mission. Who better to answer this question of the identity of Jesus Christ than those who were living with him, serving with him and had given their lives over to him? They were his closest friends and knew him publicly and privately. More than anyone else the disciples would know if he were a prophet sent by God or a false teacher.
The disciples knew Jesus, both in word and deed. They would be the ones who could handle this question with care. They would know his intentions because they were live him. The question everyone had was Jesus the promised Messiah who had come to set the house of Israel free? Was his intention to draw others to the very heart of God? Was he seeking people with calloused hearts and fractured consciences to call them to return to the one who made them in his own image?
Silence grew as Jesus asked this question. Just moments before, the disciples were sharing the theories of the people. One question was asked and they all became speechless. Who is Jesus? What is his agenda? What intentions does he have?
Jesus has a way of realigning our theology. He does this intentionally so we come into a place of deeper intimacy with him. Realignments are necessary to regain focus and balance. Realignments exist to help ensure safety.
A few years back, I had bought a new set of tires for my car. After a few days, I noticed the front right side of my car became very unstable. I decided to bring the vehicle back in to where I just had my tires put on and asked them if they could simply check the alignment. Sure enough, the alignment was off. The misaligned tire made driving unstable and unsafe. Therefore, realignment was the necessary course of action.
Jesus did not send the disciples out to find out what the town thought of him alone; he was equally interested in knowing who his followers thought him to be. This is the question that realigns our theology with the Creator of the world. Our theology can be filtered by the circumstances of the world and poor Biblical translations and bad commentary; Jesus redirects theology to reveal our understanding of him must be born from above. This question sets us up as true followers of the Way.
When Jesus asked the question, the disciples remained silent until Simon broke the silence and responded. Simon’s response was this, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt. 16:13) This response was the realignment of theology which the disciples needed. This statement changed everything! When Simon made the statement, “Messiah”, he was indicating that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.
Jesus’ response to Simon is where the realignment takes place. Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matt. 16:17-18)
Jesus begins his response with the revelation that Simon is blessed. Not, he will be blessed because of his statement but rather, he already is blessed. Jesus then reveals that Simon’s understanding of Jesus’ identity was given to him, by God the Father. Knowing Jesus as the Messiah is not something we grasp on our own efforts and not educational institution in the world reveals this to us. Knowing the identity of Jesus is a result of faith.
Jesus then shifts into a powerful statement which reveals Simon’s new identity. Jesus says, “You are Peter.” When Jesus calls us, he calls us by our names. Here, Jesus is giving his disciple a new identity. He began with Simon, which meant sifting, or easily swayed and Jesus now refers to him as Peter, or little rock.
When God reveals the identity of Jesus to us, we are given a new name so we might live the life God has called us to. For Simon, he became Peter, and he is referred to as “petros” or “little rock.” Jesus then refers to himself as “petra” or “big rock” upon which the church is founded upon.
You see, the little rock is actually a part of the bigger rock, so our identity is tied to Jesus. In essence, Jesus was telling Simon, “Since you told me who I am, now I am going to tell you who you really are.” Simon became Peter supernaturally as God’s call on our lives is always supernatural.
It is the identity of Jesus which is the foundation and cornerstone of the church, which Christ alone builds. He is Christ the Lord, the Savior of the world, he is the Son of the Living God, the Alpha and Omega, the the beginning and the end, and he is the Prince of Peace. When we know Jesus, we can respond to Jesus. When we know Jesus, we can move foreword in the mission God has for us.
Philippians 3:8|
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”
In Philippians 3:8, Paul’s presents the essence of his purpose; the pursuit of Christ. What Paul was comparing was the value of knowing Jesus and his pursuit of God on his own terms. Paul grew up in a family that was more than likely to be financial stable. Paul had a dual citizenship, he was Jewish by birth but also a citizen of Rome, which is a citizenship people could purchase. Many biblical scholars believe Paul was in line to become the High Priest and he was devout in his religious upbringing. He kept the law of God with absolute obedience but it failed to bring him to where he needed to be, in a right relationship with God. Jesus brought the change that was necessary.
As Paul pursued God in his own strength and on his own terms, he found only failure. In his failure, he met Jesus who radically changed his life forever. Paul’s one goal in life was to know Christ and experience him. Paul’s efforts of preaching the gospel, church planting, evangelizing, serving and love others was an overflow of his pursuit of Christ. Thus, both Peter and Paul would find out a vital truth to be embraced by believers and that is pursuing Christ is paramount.
When we pursue Christ, our true identity is revealed. Paul’s supernatural knowledge of his calling to be an apostle as well as all the other disciples and followers of Christ came as a result of pursuing Jesus. When we know who Jesus Christ is, then and only then will we begin to understand who we are.
We will discover who we are and who God called us to be when we pursue Jesus as Lord of our lives.
