Bloghardt's Reflector

Then there are those, who would impose upon Jesus what they think He should be. “Well, I don't believe that Jesus is like that...He wouldn't condemn.. He's all about love. Accepting to all and all. Judge not.. you know?”

That's happens into the church too. How many churches today are hearing about Jesus being what the people want Him to be - an enabler, a doctor, a fix-it man, a lottery machine to give us the right job or life, an equal, or buddy, the guy who will make our family better.

But, do you notice what happens: We, and not Jesus, are the determining factor in who Jesus is and how He is toward us.

We are the ones, by what we think about Him and the question, “Who do men say that I am” that decide what kinda Jesus we believe in.

But those answers are only as sure as we are sure. Which, makes them all pretty useless, don't you think?

And so Jesus said to them, “Who do you say that I am?” It's not important what they say, what do you say about Me?

Then, comes the answer. You know, the go to the front of the class answer. Peter's nails it, “You... you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

You too. “Who do you say that I am?” The Lord asks you today the same question.

Don't make something up – stick with St. Peter's answer. In fact, repeat St. Peter's confession with me, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Now, what does that mean? Words all by themselves need to fleshed out.

Christ is Messiah, the anointed one, anointed king. The kings of the Old Testament were all anointed. But, Christ is not a king with a conquering army, but a suffering slave. The suffering servant who would bear upon Himself the sin of the world. The One who is wounded for our transgression, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace fell upon Him and by His stripes, by His suffering and dying, we are healed.

And “Son of the Living God” means that He is the Virgin-born only begotten of the Father. He is the eternal Son of God. And since He is God and Man for us, His death counts not just for Himself, but for all.

And you can be sure of St. Peter's confession because it didn't come from St. Peter. Flesh and blood comes up with flesh and blood answers. If it came from Peter, if came from us, it would live as long as we live.

But, St. Peter's confession comes from the Heavenly Father, so it's a heavenly Confession. And you know what's from the Father is rock-solid, as in Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Ps. 18:2)

Now, petros is Peter in Greek. Rock is is petra in Greek. Both are from the same word. So, both mean “rock.”

You are petros and on this petra I'll build my church! Pun definitely intended! And when Simon petros is making a petra-solid confession, that's a rock that Jesus can build His Church on! Not even the gates of hades will tear His Church down!

Sadly, next week, we'll hear that Peter didn't understand a lick of what He was confessed. He wanted a Christ who didn't die on the Cross – an anointed King who would rule and conquer by force. That was Peter's opinion, which wasn't from the Father. It was Satan Talk.

But, this week, we hear about Peter's rock solid confession: You are the Christ the Son of the Living God. That confession is certain when little-Rock-Peter isn't certain. Even when he is clueless.

For when the Lord speaks through His men, when He speaks His word of Law and Gospel, they aren't speaking, He is through them.

So, when you heard the Lord's absolution earlier, the keys of kingdom were used to open heaven for you. I forgive you all your sins. That's just as valid and certain, says the Catechism, as if Christ your dear Lord spoke them.

Think about that – heaven was opened this morning for you with those six little words: “I forgive you all your sins.” Can you get any more Gospel than that?

Not by your works, but by His bitter sufferings and death. Not by what you do or know or feel, but the external Word delivered by the men He has sent to be delivering that word to you.

And faith, faith grabs hold of those six little words and receives them with a hearty “Amen.” I am forgiven by Jesus' death on the Cross delivered to me in the words “I forgive you all your sins!”

The Words and promises of Christ delivered from the mouth of St. Peter are the rock that the Church is built on. Not on St. Peter the man, but by Peter the man confessing what the Father has revealed to Him.

But, how do you tell when a confession is rock-solid and when Satan is leading you astray? How do your children know? The only way to hear, to know, the answer to the question “Who do men say that I am?” is to be in and around the Scriptures.

So, its time to go back to school! I'm talking specifically about Sunday School, Weekday School, and Bible Class.

Since, school is starting for the little ones, start it for yourself. Learn more about this Jesus, who the Christ, the Son of Living God, by coming to church to study the Scriptures.

I know you are all very busy. I'm busy too. The kids have football, soccer. There's work, school, and hobbies! It's hard to balance it all. But, you cannot leave church today without considering how the question asks by Jesus impacts you, your family, your children, your grandchildren.

“Who do you say that I am?” says Jesus. The only answers that holds is the one revealed by the Father to fragile Peter. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

You are the one who was born of the blessed Virgin for me. Who grew up for me. For me you prayed, for me you taught, for you were betrayed, for me and my sins you suffered, and for me you died.

And so that I would be justified, even me with all the crazy thoughts that I have about God, you were raised from the dead. I have been raised with you in the Word spoken to me today. Heaven has been opened for me – even me with all my sins.

I am forgiven, because Jesus said so through His man. Make sure that your children hear that message, that you understand that message. Go to Bible School with your kids.

Let's do Jesus' exam questions again. I'll ask the question, you answer the question. Jesus said today, “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” In the name of Jesus, the Son of the living God. Amen.