Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Every once in a while we witness in scripture Jesus' pattern of huddling his disciples together. He seemed to know that the magnitude of his words and deeds would be limited if they pointed to himself. Jesus was tireless in pointing beyond what could be observed so that God was magnified...not "man".
As they wander about the towns and countryside the disciples see Jesus teaching crowds, relating to the strangers and the outcasts. As they watch and listen they are absorbing fundamental truths about who Jesus is, and what he is about. Jesus knows that God, the Father, is deep within every word he utters, every glance he bestows, every gesture of his hand. Therefore, whenever people notice Jesus, he compels them to look beyond what is going on and perceive in that moment God With Them.
Repeatedly Jesus pauses in his public ministry for a holy huddle with his followers. At the core of these intimate gatherings is Jesus' connection to the source of all -- all of his purpose, all of his power, all of his identity. When the words and the actions settle, (flesh and blood) it is the truth of the Father that emerges and reveals the kingdom of God to the world. Jesus reminds the disciples that recognition of God is prompted by the divine initiative to reveal God to the world. This internal awareness, because it is God's action, results in a core faith that then transforms all subsequent thoughts and actions.
Many of you will come to the holy huddle this Sunday. Between the words of scripture, prayer and song you will hear the question "Who do you say I am?"
No matter how much you can say about what the others are saying, including the worship leaders, the moment of truth unfolds in how YOU respond to that question. Your answer radiates from God's word embedded in your being and from that center your actions point others to the truth of the Living God. The power of Christian living to have a profound impact on daily situations resides in the ongoing revelation of God.
How does the way that you move through the world relate to your recognition of God revealed in Christ? When others see you or experience connections with you, do they learn more about Christ?
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