Messiah, Son of the living God -
You turned toward Your disciples and asked, “But who do you say that I am?”
You turn toward us today and pose the same question - who do y’all say that I am?
May divine revelations guide us as we respond.
May our responses build upon Simon Peter’s response - You are the Messiah, the Christ, child of the living God. May our responses build a church upon which Hades will not prevail. May our responses hold the keys to heaven’s reign and open the way for that reign to encounter all of us here on earth.
May we recognize that our responses come with risk as they lead us to die and rise with Christ.
In the name of the One who reveals Oneself to us, we pray.
Amen.
(Beloved ones - I will preach this text on Sunday, 8/23, at First Presbyterian Church in Kennett, MO. The service may be viewed here.)