Peter Declares Jesus the Messiah/Jesus Predicts Death | Matthew 16:13-28

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

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 but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

The Cross and Self-Denial

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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Identity. It is something with which every human wrestles. Who am I? What am I here for? What will my future be?

We look for identity in so many different places – often in places that are not so very helpful. We post something, and then wait feverishly to see who responds, how many likes I get on Instagram; clicks on X or TikTok. What responses do I get? Or we listen to what our friends, our siblings, our parents say about us, and take their words to heart – “This is what they think. This must be reality for me.”

Identity is not really an issue for Jesus. He knows who he is – after all, he is the Son of God. If he had any question, it was revealed to him at his baptism. The Voice from heaven saying: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Doesn’t seem to get any clearer than that.

No. Jesus isn’t concerned with knowing his identity. This experience is more like the old Mayor Ed Koch of NY, who used to go around the city saying, “How’m I doing?” soliciting either praise from the citizens or critique of his work. Jesus is, I believe, asking his closest followers, “Just how am I coming across? Am I being effective? Do people have a clue who I am? What perception do others have of my ministry?”

So they tell him. And then Simon blurts out what Jesus confirms is the truth: You are the Christ; the Son of the Living God! Yes! This IS my identity which I know so well. You got it Simon. And now YOU will know your true identity – no longer just Simon, but Peter, the Rock. And upon this Rock of faith I will build my church – and even hell itself won’t defeat it!

Identity. Jesus knows his identity and Peter confirms it for all the others. And Simon, now Peter gets a new identity. We look in so many places for confirmation of who we are. But sometimes we are looking in all the wrong places. You see, it isn’t what followers on our social media think of us. It isn’t what our teachers, or siblings, or friends, or parents, or the media think of us.  It isn’t, ultimately, what we think of ourselves that is of utmost importance.  It is not who we are, but WHOSE we are, that is of ultimate certainty.

And you are God’s. Christ Jesus has imprinted his image upon your very soul.  You belong to him and no one, NO ONE, not even yourself, can take you away from him.

Your identity is secure – in Christ. You are God’s beloved child – God, the One who raised Jesus from the dead! 

Stake your life upon it. God’s Spirit gives you the faith to trust God’s word above everyone else’s.

So rest, dear child, in your identity. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and because he has joined himself to you, you KNOW who and WHOSE you are.

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for claiming and naming me as your own. When my sense of self-worth falters because of the troubles of this world and my life, give me your Resurrection Spirit to trust you at your word. That you love me. That I am yours. Forever. Amen

Pastor Paul Milholland

Trinity Lutheran Church, Astoria NY

Former Pinecrest Faculty & Staff