Matthew 16:13-20
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. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus’ Identity
The context may help us to better understand the message of today's Gospel. Jesus comes with the disciples to the prosperous region of Caesarea Philippi (Banias today).
The water there originates from Mount Hermon, flows from volcanic flint rocks, and is the main tributary of the Jordan River that forms the Sea of Galilee.
The area was very attractive in the Hellenistic era and later on for the Roman army. They enjoyed the spring water, fresh air, green fields, fruit trees and hunted all around. This is where the Canaanites built their town of Baal-gad (God of Good Luck) (Joshua 13:5), and which later was known as Caesarea Philippi.
How could the Greeks and the Romans not honor their mythical gods in a location so rich in these resources? Among many other gods, we still have the monument dedicated to the Greek god Pan, representing all Greek gods, and another to the Roman emperor Augustus with the official title "Caesar son of god.”
In this region where many gods were worshipped, Jesus asked His disciples about who the people considered Him to be, then most importantly, who is He for them.
The response came inspired by the Holy Spirit,"You are the Son of the LIVING God” (V. 16). All other gods worshipped in this region are handmade gods, just lifeless idols and prone to extinction. Jesus is the Son of the Living God, the Son of Man, who is the Son of God, the unique true God who gives life.
Upon this faith that is symbolized by the flint rock, Jesus built His Church. This is the first time Jesus spoke about His Church.
We are invited to consider all we see, use and experience in our Christian discipleship. We have to choose, though, what gives, guarantees and produces life, and what leads to eternal life as we believe in one True and Eternal God.
Do we have our mythical modern gods, exaggerated running after wealth, technology, stocks, consumption, luxury, patriotism, arrogance, etc.? Jesus is asking us today, among all these attractive and influential trends, “Who am I for you?" Before you answer, let us reflect seriously so that our response will be true and a self-commitment.
"Who am I for you today?"
Banias - source of the Banias River, one of the main tributaries of the Jordan River