"THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION"

Matthew 16:13–20; Romans 12:1–8           08/23/2026

Today’s Gospel lesson brings us to a very important moment in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus has spent years teaching his disciples, traveling with them, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and showing them what the kingdom of God looks like. Now Jesus knows that the road ahead will lead to Jerusalem, to suffering, the cross, and finally the resurrection.

Before beginning that journey, Jesus asks his disciples a question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The disciples answer, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” People had many opinions about Jesus. They knew that Jesus was special. They had seen his miracles and heard his teaching. But they did not fully understand who Jesus really was.

Then Jesus asks a more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” This is the most important question. Jesus does not ask, “Who do other people say that I am?” He asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Peter gives the right answer. Jesus was pleased to hear that answer. Peter recognizes that Jesus is not simply a good teacher, a prophet, or a miracle worker. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus gave him a new name and said, “You are Peter, on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Jesus is building his church upon our confession of faith.

But Peter still does not fully understand what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. Soon after this, Jesus will tell the disciples that he must suffer, die, and be raised again. Peter wants a Messiah who will bring victory and glory. He does not understand a Messiah who must go to the cross.

Sometimes we can be like Peter. We believe in Jesus, but we want Jesus to fit our plans. We want him to make our lives comfortable. We want him to answer our prayers the way we want. We want Jesus to lead us—but sometimes we want to tell Jesus where to go! But Jesus did not come to follow our plans. He came to lead us into God’s plan.

This is where Paul’s words in Romans 12 speak to us.  Paul says, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” In other words, give yourself—your time, your abilities, your future, and everything you have—to God. When we answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”, our answer should be visible in the way we live.

If Jesus is truly our Lord, then we follow him not only when the road is easy, but also when the road is difficult. We trust him not only when our prayers are answered the way we want, but also when we have to wait. That is what it means to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.

What does it mean to confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God? It means that our faith should change the way we live. Our faith is not only something we say on Sunday morning. It is something we live with our whole lives.

Paul continues, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The Christian life is not simply about saying the right words. It is about allowing Christ to transform our hearts, our minds, our priorities, and our daily lives.

The church does not belong only to the pastor. The church does not belong only to the Session. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. And Jesus builds his church through ordinary people who are willing to offer their lives to God.

Peter was an ordinary fisherman. Peter was not perfect. He sometimes spoke too quickly. He sometimes misunderstood Jesus. He even denied Jesus three times. Yet Jesus continued to use Peter. Jesus does not require perfect people. Jesus uses people who are willing to trust him, return to him, learn from him, and serve him.

The Christian life is not simply about “me and Jesus.” It is also about how we live together as the body of Christ. We worship together. We pray together. We serve together. We encourage one another. We forgive one another. We carry one another when someone is struggling. We rejoice with those who rejoice, and we weep with those who weep.

If Jesus went to the cross for us, then we are willing to make sacrifices for him and for his church. This is what the church is called to be.

So, if we say, “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” we should live out that confession. A church becomes strong when each person commits his or her life to God and faithfully uses the gifts God has given them.

So the question is not only, “Who is Jesus?” The question is also, “Who is Jesus to me?” When we confess, “Jesus is my Savior and Lord,” that confession should be the foundation of our church.

So let us not ask only, “What can the church do for me?” Let us also ask, “What can I offer to Christ and to his church?” How can I present my life as a living sacrifice to God? We serve because God has already loved us. We follow because Christ has already given himself for us. And we give ourselves because Jesus Christ is our Lord.

So today, Jesus asks each one of us the most important question: “Who do you say that I am?” And our answer is: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

May that confession become more than words. May it become the foundation of our lives. And may Jesus continue to build his church through you and me.

May it be so for you, and may it be so for me. Amen.