S146P1 – Moments of clarity: Peter

Lk. 9:18-20

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him.  And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  And they answered, “John the Baptist.  But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

For millennia, people have been trying to figure out who this man Jesus is or was.  When He appeared, it was before a people who had expected his arrival for centuries.  However, this Messiah king on whom they waited might have taken a different form in their minds.  Were they expecting him to appear as He will when He returns, strong and powerful and ready for physical battle?  It is no wonder that those who interacted with Jesus or even heard about him had their questions.  As his ministry unfolded, and as people like Peter saw him work miracles and speak with unparalleled wisdom, answers to those questions would be revealed, and each would face a crossroads. 

Earlier in this chapter, King Herod was questioning the identity of Christ.  Some even thought Jesus was the reincarnation of John the Baptist, whom Herod had killed.  Now, here was Jesus feeding thousands of people in miraculous ways, and it was time to see what his disciples thought of him.  Considering the ability of Christ to know what was on a man’s heart and in his mind, his question here was likely not for his own benefit.  This appears to be an opportunity for his followers to confront what they believed, and Peter does not seem to hesitate.  He could have agreed with so many others that there was something special about Jesus without confessing that He is Messiah, but Peter had seen and heard enough to know better.

People today will say that Jesus was a compassionate man or a good teacher or even a wise prophet, but they will draw the line at confessing the truth of his identity and deity.  They show resistance at committing to the truth about this man, but it is not enough to confess some nice things about Jesus.  Not confessing everything is a denial of who He is.  Just as Jesus confronted his disciples then on the issue, the Lord confronts us today.  Perhaps He does not ask the question, but others will, and we will have the same opportunity to commit to the truth or to waver.  Just as Peter had seen enough to know better, so have we, even if we have not seen him at all.  Father, give us the faith and confidence always to confess the truth about the Christ regardless of who asks the question.