YOU ARE THE CHRIST

In the Gospel of Matthew (16:13-20), Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The disciples already saw Jesus casting out demons, walking on the sea and feeding the five thousand people. This is a turning point in the life of the disciples recognizing the true identity of Jesus. Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” This is the first time that a disciple has acknowledged that Jesus is the Christ. Christ is Christos in Greek which means the Anointed One of God. Peter is really saying that Jesus is the Savior for whom they have waited for centuries. The Son of the living God reveals the divinity of Jesus in contrast with the lifeless gods and idols in the world. He is the perfect revelation of the invisible God, the sign par excellence of God’s love. The insight of Peter comes by revelation not by human wisdom. His understanding of the true identity of Jesus is a gift from God. That is why Jesus calls him Peter which means rock and on this rock, He will build His Church. Peter is the rock. He is the symbol of the Church. But Jesus is the builder, the sole foundation of the Church. In Greek, Church is Ekklesia which means assembly of believers. Jesus builds the Church and the Church belongs to Him. He promises that the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. The Church is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the power of God’s love, the only true power. His love will ultimately prevail. Where are the powerful kingdoms in the past? The Roman empire, the Babylonian empire, the Egyptian empire? They are all turned into dust. Yet the Church built by Jesus remains standing and it will remain standing forever because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus already defeated evil, sin and death forever by the power of God’s love. He completed the work of redemption. Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter. It is the key of knowledge and love. Key of knowledge because the Holy Spirit will guide the Church to the fulness of truth. And the Church is called to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Key of love because to know in Scripture is intimacy, friendship, relationship and covenant. The Church is called to remain in the love of God and keep the commandments of Jesus. Peter received the keys because he is the gatekeeper, steward, servant and shepherd. The Church is the visible sign of God’s kingdom here and now. We are the physical presence of Christ in our tormented world today.