June 30, 2025
Confessing the Faith - Part 1
Matthew 16:13-14
06/30/2025
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea
Philippi, he asked his disciples, ``Who do people
say that the Son of Man is?''
14 And they said, ``Some say John the Baptist, others
say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the
prophets.'' (ESV)
Last Sunday was the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. At one
time, this feast was considered the most important feast after
Easter and Christmas. Both Peter and Paul brought the good news
of salvation by God's rich love alone to both Jew and gentile.
These are the preeminent Apostles, the ones to whom the church
has looked for the truth of God's mercy.
How fitting that the Gospel for this past Sunday is Saint
Peter's great confession of Jesus as the promised Messiah, the
Son of the living God. For several weeks we have been looking at
the marks of the Church, the God we worship, the necessity of
hearing His holy Word. Now we begin to answer the question that
Jesus posed to His disciples.
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, others say Elijah, and others
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.''
Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. Some say He was a good
teacher, but not the Son of God. Others suggest He is the
example for morality and service, but is not the Son of God. You
may even hear people suggest he is a myth, somewhat like King
Arthur, whose story may have an element of truth, but certainly
not as elaborate as the books about Him may suggest.
How do you answer this question? Who is Jesus? That is the
question for the week.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to see, recognize, and properly
confess Jesus. Amen.