Looking for Answers

Gospel: Luke 9: 18-22

Yesterday's Gospel portion saw Herod musing about Jesus.  Today Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about him.  They reply with the same answers Herod had in his musings - John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet.  These are the answers from the palace - our mental palaces or ideological ones.  Now Jesus asks his disciples what they think - who do you say I am?  Peter gives the reply:  You are the Messiah, the Son of God.

This answer is fraught with danger and Jesus warns them to tell these answers to no one.  The title Messiah will lead to trouble with the religious leaders of the day, prompting them to seek the death of Jesus.  The title Son of God is a virtual death sentence from the Roman authorities who see in that title a direct challenge to the authority of the emperor.  For this reason Jesus tells his disciples that he must suffer and be put to death.

This answer proved a challenge for Luke's audience who lived in a time when they were being expelled from synagogues and threatened by Roman authorities.  If we take these titles seriously we will find trouble from religious and political leaders who have their own Messiah complexes and claims to absolute authority in the world.  For the way of the Messiah is one of service and mercy to others, not domination and control over people.