Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 16:13-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Verse 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Verse 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Verse 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Verse 17And 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. Verse 18And 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. Verse 19I 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." Verse 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Devotion
It is the second question that always gets you. Watch what happens here in Matthew 16.
The first question ferrets out the local gossip. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" It is always easy to talk about what other people are saying.
The first question lulls Jesus' followers into engaging in a little armchair theologizing about popular opinion.
But then Jesus ups the ante: "But who do you say that I am?" Now there is no hiding behind polls or platitudes. Now Jesus' followers are themselves "in the dock."
The second question seeks out not idle speculation or the latest scuttlebutt, but something more. It calls forth confession before others. I picture most of Jesus' followers suddenly staring at their feet...
...until one man, Peter, clears his throat and speaks up. And that is what you and I are all called to do, in some fashion, every day.
Prayer
Lord, let me not love talking about you so much that I neglect to talk to you and bear witness to your astonishing grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.