Jesus and His disciples are on a road trip. This time it’s
up north—to Caesarea Philippi. Not downtown, but to the surrounding
villages. Lots of talk on the way, as usual, but this time the conversation
is of a different mood. Jesus is becoming rather confrontational in His speech
about their mission—about why He has come and why all this great stuff
is happening.
The disciples think Jesus is looking for some feedback, that
He wants to know what the polls are saying—the public opinion about
His identity and purpose.
“Who do people say I am?” He asked them (v. 27).
And they had answers. Any staff worth their salt would, or at least they’d
make something up.
“Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; others
one of the prophets” (v. 28). They were right. Public opinion was a
variegated as the rainbow. But then Jesus asked the question. The question
they wouldn’t forget for the rest of their lives.
“‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who
do you say I am?’” (v. 29). This was a moment of truth, an opportunity
for them to bare their souls to Jesus and to let their motives lie exposed.
I can see all the other disciples looking in Peter’s direction
as Jesus’ question falls heavy on their ears. He often seemed to find
himself in the role of spokesperson. They knew what they wanted to say, but
did they dare speak the words? They have lived in hope for so long; could
it really be that the one before them now named Jesus, who in some ways looks
so average, so like them—could it be that He is indeed the one for whom
Israel has waited so long?
Peter had made up his mind, so in characteristic boldness he
speaks the words, “You are the Christ” (v. 29). He nailed it!
It was the “$64,000 question” and he won. And according to Matthew’s
Gospel, Jesus blessed him for his answer. Peter was on top of the world. He
had made every right move to this point. This thing was shaping up to be the
opportunity of a lifetime.
The Kingdom was coming and Peter was sure he had bagged a corner
office. But he had yet to learn that when the Christ arrives all other agendas
are set aside. Before the adrenaline could even stop coursing through his
veins, the rug was pulled out from under his feet. Peter’s dream world
all came crashing down because Jesus had more to say.
Seizing the opportunity—perhaps hoping they were open
to learn some things about real Kingdom work—Jesus began to teach them
about what it really would mean to be Messiah. No parables now, but bullets.
Straight shooting. Not much room for misunderstanding. Jesus knew He had to
confront a lot of faulty understanding about Messiah.
So Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer
many things and be rejected by the religious leaders, and that He must be
killed, and after three days rise again. I love how the New Living Translation
puts it: “Peter took him aside and told him he shouldn’t say things
like that” (v. 32). Makes you wish you could warn Peter, doesn’t
it? “Oh, Peter don’t do that.” You just know this isn’t
going to be pretty. He couldn’t handle the way Jesus was talking. This
is not Messiah talk; this is crazy talk.
How quickly Peter goes from receiving commendation to receiving
condemnation. Jesus turns to Peter and rebukes him. With one swift blow, Jesus
lays bare the motives of these followers. Why were they interested in the
Kingdom?
When Jesus rebukes Peter He doesn’t say, “Get lost.”
He says, “Get behind me, get back in line.”
The invitation to follow Jesus is now redefined in view of the
Cross. It’s perhaps the most basic Kingdom principle of all: you die
in order to live. Whoever wants to save their life, preserve it, protect it—will
end up losing it. But whoever is willing to lose their life for the sake of
the Kingdom, will gain everything.
It’s contrary to every other message we hear in this culture of self-preservation,
but it’s essential to living the life you were meant to live.
(For the full manuscript of this sermon
go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons”)
This sermon goes to the core question of the life we were meant
to live: “Are you a Christ-follower?” No doubt most in the congregation
would identify themselves as such, but caution should be spoken, lest we find
ourselves in range for some of the rebuke Peter received. In this message
I asked my people, “Do you identify yourself as a Christ-follower? Good,
but what does that really mean to you? Why are you a Christian? Why do you
want to be a follower of Jesus? Is it to get into heaven? Is it to get rid
of guilt, to find peace in your life? Is it to make life smoother, more enjoyable?
What is your motive for following this Christ around? Who do you say He is?”
These kinds of questions provide an opportunity to face the heart of discipleship. In our desire to find the life for which our hearts long, are we willing to go the way of the Cross in order to find it? Another way to ask the question might be, “Are you dying to live?” This message presses the gospel point that one cannot be a follower of Jesus, cannot truly be a disciple, unless one takes seriously the implications of the Cross. This is where the life you were meant to live begins and ends.
