A reflection on Luke 9:18-22
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
Peter’s confession of Christ shines as a pivotal moment in Luke 9:18-22, where he boldly declares Jesus as the Messiah amidst widespread speculation.
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
Luke 9:18-22
He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Peter’s Confession of Christ
How many people honestly probe their hearts to ask, “What do I think?” Independent judgment is rare. Millions rely on celebrities, pundits, and other opinion makers to think for them. Modern media thrives on broadcasting commentators to shape public opinion.
When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they had a ready answer on their lips. The same rumors that reached Herod’s court (Luke 9:7-8) disseminated widely in towns and villages. In response to Jesus’ signs and wonders, multiple theories proliferated: he was John the Baptist, raised from the dead; Elijah; or one of the ancient prophets.
“But who do you say that I am?” Jesus pressed. All fell silent except one. “The Messiah of God,” Peter boldly declared. While the multitudes puzzled over the mystery of Jesus’ identity, Peter received a flash of insight from “my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:17). After marveling week after week at Jesus’ profound teachings and miracles and wondering, “Who is this?” Peter spoke his mind.
Who is the Messiah?
For centuries, the Jews waited for the “Messiah” (mashiach in Hebrew and Christos in Greek), which means “anointed one,” a son of David who would redeem Israel from her enemies and establish a righteous kingdom over all nations, ushering in universal peace and prosperity (shalom). The Messiah would be wise, knowledgeable of the Torah, and possess the moral and political authority to overthrow oppressive foreign regimes. Nothing in the Hebrew tradition prepared the Twelve to accept the idea of a suffering, dying, and rising Messiah.
Knowing the limits of Peter’s confession, Jesus warned them, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
“You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16
(Complete Jewish Bible)
The enigma of Jesus eluded the crowds.
Peter recognized the Christ like sun from rainclouds.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《但你們說我是誰？》
謎樣的耶穌迷糊了衆人。
彼得卻認出基督就像出於雲雨的太陽。
Dear GMC, Your reflection reminds me that our answer to Jesus’ question is what makes us Christians. And our answer can be found in the Nicene creed that we recite every Sunday and holy day. Praise be the name of Jesus Christ, now and forever.
The answer to the question “Who do you say I am?” is, I believe, one that changes over each of our lifetimes. As a child in Catholic school, it was as simple and profound as Peter’s declaration. You’re Christ…You’re God. As the world got its clutches into me, it became more of “I don’t know…who are you, really?” The journey to that answer has made up most of my life. And it brought me right back to Peter’s pivotal moment…He is the Christ, the son of the Living God. I am grateful for the journey, and always totally humbled by the answer.
Thank you for sharing, Theresa. May the Lord speak to us through personal encounter to draw us to himself, and may we be attentive listeners.