Sunday, August 25, 2002 14^th Sunday after Pentecost

A Sermon by Archdeacon Miller

"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven."

In the Gospel this morning we hear of Jesus and his disciples venturing into the District of Caesarea Philippi, an area about 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. We are told that if we were living in the cultural reality of Caesarea Philippi, in the first century, we would know that the region had tremendous religious implications.

The place was littered with the temples of the Syrian gods. Here also was the elaborate marble temple that had been erected by Herod the Great, father of the then ruling Herod Antipas. Here also was the influence of the Greek gods. Here also the worship of Caesar as a god himself. You might say that the world religions were on display in this town. It was with this scene in the background that Jesus chose to ask the most crucial questions of his ministry.

Jesus looked at his disciples and in a moment of critical reflection said: "Who do men say that I am?" And in response, the disciples began to share with Jesus what they had heard from the people who have been following: "Some say that you are Elijah; others say John the Baptist, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." It's always been this way, Jesus as seen by the masses is seen in so many different ways.

We can speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher, or spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of Him as Son of God, divine, of the same nature as the Father, and people will line up to express their disapproval.

A billion Muslims will say: "Prophet, yes. God, no!" Jews scattered around the world will say: "Teacher, yes. Messiah, no!" Liberal Protestants and religious persons of various stripes will say: "Exemplary man, yes. Divine, no!"

This question "Who do men say that I am?' is first asked as a question of inquiry. What are people saying about me, Jesus wonders as he travels around preaching, healing, forgiving and performing miracles. The curious response to his actions prompts the masses to speculate as to his identity - "who can this man be?" When Jesus asks the question a second time, while still a question of inquiry, takes on an air of confrontation. But who do you say that I am?" It becomes a personal question.

Charles Spurgeon the renowned nineteenth century Baptist preacher, responds to this question by making this proclamation, as he stepped into the pulpit at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, so long ago.

"I would propose that the subject of the ministry of this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshipers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, "It is Jesus Christ."

"My venerated predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a [theological heritage] admirable and excellent in its way. But the [legacy] to which I would pin and bind myself forever, God helping me,...is Jesus Christ, who is the arm and substance of the gospel, who is in Himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth."

The doctrine of his tradition and the faith of his denomination was secondary to his love and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Charles Spurgeon was not unique. Beginning with Peter and the Disciples, the Church of God through Christ has continued down through the ages by God's grace working through the faithful. God's Church today, too, finds herself in Caesarea Philippi. God's faithful people are surrounded by numerous voices proclaiming competing messages claiming to be the god of truth; gods worthy of our cultures worship. "But, who do you say that I am?"

When Jesus first asked these questions he did so in his first and only trip outside of Palestine. It was a critical moment in the life of our Lord. He was at the end of his ministry and it was high time that he get alone with his disciples far from the watchful eyes of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious authorities and assess the last three years of ministry. Did they now understand who he was? Were all his efforts fruitful or had it all been in vain? It was a critical moment and critical moments call for critical questions: Who do men say that I am?

Jesus question was timely when first asked. It is timely this morning both within our parish context or each day when we feel the pressures of our cultural reality drawing us to question our faith and to worship other gods.

Peter and Paul were foundational witnesses to the gospel at the time of the infant church. They disagreed on many things but I would offer that they agreed on Paul's encouragement to the early Church in Rome. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Our Lord reflects on his ministry with the disciples. He has witnessed Peter's weaknesses and his strengths. He knows that Peter has been/ is being transformed by his obedience to the Gospel. "You are the Christ the Son of the living God."... "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven."

If we hear the Gospel clearly, God's People, you and I, while residing in a world of cultural and religious diversity, not unlike Caesarea Philippi, must not be afraid to be open to the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ. A transformation that grants the courage to answer when asked "But, who do you say that I am?"..."You are the Christ the Son of the living God."