Reflection on Matthew 16:13-19

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Monday, June 29, 2020

At a certain point after his emergence on the public scene, Jesus traveled with his disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi. It is important to point out here that only few Jews lived in Caesarea Philippi and its surrounding villages. So, Jesus may have gone to this region with his disciples so that they could have some time by themselves. Don’t forget that Jesus was often followed by a huge crowd in Jewish areas. After settling down with his disciples, he asked them a a peculiar question; “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” He has been spending time teaching and healing people, now he wants to know the people’s perception of him. Surprisingly, Jesus did not ask what people think of his teaching or miracles or what impression he was making. He was interested in knowing who people think he was. You know, no other religious figure would focus on himself. Buddha said that there is a way I discovered and I want you to know it. Muhammad said there is a revelation I received and I want you to know it. Confucius said there is a path I found and I want you to know it. Then there is Jesus. His question is: “Who do you say that I am?” Buddha did not focus on himself. Muhammad and Confucius did not talk about themselves. As for Jesus, he talks about himself and in the process reveals his identity. And the whole gospel hinges on that point—who is Jesus? Jesus identity is all it is about. We know that throughout the gospel, Jesus speaks and acts in the person of God. To discover the true identity of Jesus will definitely compel one to make a choice of accepting him as personal Lord and Savior. 

People’s impression of Jesus is both a good and disappointing one. It is a good impression because they likened him to John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Great and godly men revered by the Jews. However, their opinion of him is a disappointing one because Jesus is the creator and sender of these prophets. Each of them foretold of his coming. Each of them is a messenger. Jesus is Lord. He is incomparable with any human being. None of these great prophets comes close to being his equal. And combined together, they are not his match. Jesus is what Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To say that Jesus is the Christ is to declare that he is God’s Anointed One. It is to affirm that he is King. He is the new King of the Jews and of the world who has come to establish the reign of God

Who is Jesus to you? Who do you proclaim him with words and deeds to be? Bear this in mind:  your view of Jesus will determine how you relate with him. It will determine whether you worship him or use him. It will determine whether you ignore him or embrace and accept him as your Lord and Savior. If Jesus is your King, you will submit to him. If he is just one among the many religious figures, you will ignore him, his teachings, ignore his Church, and ignore his gift of salvation. But if Jesus is the Lord, the real King of your life, you will submit to him and make him the centre of your life and existence. To those who will say and do what Peter said and did, Jesus will say to you, “Blessed are you.”