In the second half of term three in schools often there is a rush for new job advertisements of new coordinators, assistant principals and principals. Sometimes teachers come up to you and say “so are you going to apply for this new position?†while others not applying begin chatting behind the scenes saying “I wonder who will fill this new position?†Our culture is often fixed on climbing this corporate ladder. As if there is something wrong if you do not apply for a promotional position.
Do we ever ask the question “Who do you say I am?†Jesus asks his disciples this question. His disciples respond “some say you are a prophet. Others say you are John the Baptist, while others say you are Elijahâ€. But Jesus responds, “who do you say I am?†Peter responds “you are the Christ. The Son of the living Godâ€. What is interesting is what Jesus does next. He does not go along with the cultural norm of popularity. Waving a flag of triumph like a politician that banders a political slogan. Rather, Jesus does the complete opposite. Jesus says “tell no oneâ€.
Why is that?
To truly know who Jesus is, we need to move to a deeper level. Or, these become just words, labels, and titles. They don’t move very deeper than what is expected. “Who do you I am†is a question directed inwards. The answers can not be simply on the surface of things. This is a deep question. It takes time to ponder and reflect. The answer cannot be fully encapsulated into mere words. The question alludes to the person actually asking the question. “Who do you say I amâ€. We must reflect on the question ourselves to determine the answer in our own life. As our life moves, so does the answer.
When Peter says “you are the Christ. The Son of the Living God†he does so from the depths of his heart and his own life. From experience. From Peter’s struggle. From Peter’s pain. From a recognition which touches upon Peter’s life deeply which moves well beyond an ego infatuated title. In the TV series the chosen Peter and his wife go through married troubles because of the miscarriage of their children. Peter begins to question who Christ is. He begins to doubt. These questions enable a deeper exploration of the meaning of things. Not just what is expected but rather what is unexpected. Despite the difficulty faced by the loss of a child Peter discovers who Jesus is because he is willing to step out in faith. Not what can be seen, but rather what cannot be seen. Faith looking through the darkness. For us to answer “You are the Christâ€. Our lives too must be transformed and changed by the person of Jesus Christ. In a personal way. In a way that makes meaning in our own life. More than just mere words.
So, when someone asks you the question “are you going to apply for this big job?†Do not respond straight away. Reflect silently “Who do you say I am?†or “who are you?†OR talk it over with someone who you can open up about. Someone who can mirror for you who you are. Over a cup of tea or coffee. Often the answer cannot be shaped into mere words, but hidden in the story and pattern of your life. But that pattern sometimes we cannot see, thus you need others to show us the way.
(Audio Available)
