Foot Notes

In the silence “Behold God beholding you...and smiling.”
Anthony de Mello

Jesus asks: Who do the people say that I am?
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven....
20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16: 13 – 17, 20, NRSV

Jesus asks! He wants to know—who have the masses decided that he is. Why we might wonder would he raise the question? Is he still seeking to understand his part in God’s great work of reconciling creation to its creator? Is he still reminding himself of the answers he gave the tempter, not to establish his identity by supernatural and compromising means? Is he wondering if any are getting the point of why he is here and what it means? Does he, like us, want to know if he is truly known? Can you identify with him as he asks? Try for awhile.

Jesus asks you! He wants to know what people are saying today. Who do they think he is? What is he about? What are they telling others about him? How are they responding? Answer him. Tell him what you hear. How is he impacting the world you know? Talk with him about what he means now.