Scripture

Matthew 16:13-18 (NRSV)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 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. 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.”

Consider

Names are important. How we label ourselves reflects who we think we are and where we belong in the world.

In his hometown Jesus was known as the carpenter’s son. He called himself by the enigmatic name, the Son of Man, and when he asked his disciples what the people called him, they gave him the rumors, the “flesh and blood” or earthly opinions that he was one of the great prophets reborn. When pressed further, Simon Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the long-awaited son of David.

Simon Peter’s spontaneous announcement marks a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry and hints at the birth of the church itself. Inspired by the Father, the disciple proclaims Jesus’ kingdom name along with the kingdom purpose that the name implies: Israel’s anointed One, the Son of God who will be a light to the nations. In response to this revelation, Jesus offers a reciprocal prophecy for Simon. The fisherman son of Jonah will be known by his new kingdom name, Peter, and will have a new kingdom role—to lead the apostles in laying the foundation of the church and in opening the doors of the kingdom to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2), to the Samaritans (Acts 8), and even to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

Like Simon Peter, when we proclaim by faith that Jesus is the Christ, we receive a new kingdom identity, worth, and purpose. God claims us for his family—righteous sons and daughters of the kingdom—and calls us into the kingdom work of bringing love and healing to a broken and alienated world.

What are the “flesh and blood” names that people call you? What are the roles or descriptions that dictate who you think you are and where you belong in this world? When we identify with Christ, we can stop looking to others to define us or to determine our worth and purpose. We can overlook slights and attempts to mislabel or malign us because we know who we truly are and why we are here.

Pray

FATHER, you have given me a name, a place in your family, and a calling to build your kingdom in every area of my life. Make me a witness of your truth and love in my relationships. Help me to stop judging others and assigning them names and labels that hurt and limit them. I ask for grace to live into the kingdom name you have chosen for me.

Reflect

Ephesians 4:22-24; Revelation 2:17

Ponder

What word or phrase do you wish God would use to describe you?