"Is That Your Idenitty?" a sermon for 13 Pentecost (8/23/26)

            Many years ago there was a game show called Identity, hosted by Gilette Penn.  The show featured 12 people, some celebrities and some everyday people.  For example, Stan Lee (Spider Man) and Peter Mayhew (Star Wars) were featured on episodes.  A contestant tried to guess the identity of each person.

            Our Gospel reads like an episode of Identity.  Jesus begins by asking what the crowds, what the people, are saying about Him.  “Some say you are John the Baptist,” and “Others say you are Elijah” come the answers.  Jesus then zeroes in on the question, the BIG one, “what about YOU, who do YOU say that I am.”

            This is the moment of truth.  Just like when Penn would ask “is that your identity?” after the contestant’s guess.  There would be a dramatic pause before the guest replied, “that is my identity” or “No, that is not my identity.”  If the contestant guessed correctly, the game would proceed to the next identity.

Always ready with an answer, Simon is the first to respond to Jesus’ pop quiz.  Simon blurts out, “You are the Messiah!  The Christ!  The Son of the Living God!”(v 16).  Simon’s response is praised by Jesus.  Simon has answered correctly.  That IS Jesus’ identity.  “Only God can have revealed this to you,” Jesus says.

            Jesus rewards Simon’s moment of insight by giving Simon a new name.  No longer will he be Simon.  From now on, Simon is to be Peter.  “The Rock.”  The one whose faith forms the foundation of that faith community, the Church Universal.  As a sign of his new role. Peter is given the keys of God’s kingdom.

            Each of us has to answer Jesus’ question for ourselves.  No one can answer it for us.  Each of us needs to make a personal decision.  Who do we say that Jesus is?

            C.S. Lewis- of Narnia fame- suggests there are only 3 possible answers to Jesus’ question.  Jesus is a Liar or a Lunatic or Lord.  If Jesus is a liar, we can discount His words as falsehoods.  If Jesus is a madman, we can discredit his words as the disillusioned ravings.  If Jesus really, truly is Lord of All that changes everything.

            If Jesus really is Lord of All, then Jesus demands our full obedience.  Our hearts cannot be divided.  Nor can it be a half-hearted action.  In the rule of St. Benedict, the saint counsels his followers “to prefer nothing whatsoever to Christ.”  Christ and Christ alone should sit on the thrones of our hearts.

            To enthrone Jesus is to do everything for Him.  To seek to bring Jesus honor and glory in what we say, what we think, and what we do.  Even cleaning the bathroom can take on new importance when you imagine you are doing it for the Lord.  We necessarily will find our life priorities changed as well.

            I think it is interesting to note that Jesus tells His friends to not say a word.  They are to keep His identity secret.  Maybe Jesus knows that is the best way to get a secret broadcast everywhere.  Perhaps Jesus wants the disciples to wait until after the Resurrection, when they’ll understand things better.

            Next week, the lectionary continues today’s scene.  There Jesus teaches His friends- and us- about what it means for Jesus to be Lord and Messiah.  The two texts belong together, and I think it is unfortunate that the lectionary splits the passage up like it does.  I really wish the lectionary hadn’t done that.

            Jesus’ identity is not about power and prestige.  Nor is Jesus’ identity about kings and kingdoms.  Jesus’ identity cannot be understood apart from His suffering and death.  The cross and Good Friday.  Jesus’ identity is one of vulnerability and servanthood.  So, the question remains:

“What about you?

Who do YOU say Jesus is?”