Monday, August 17, 2026

Scripture

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:15-16

Reflections

Peter was on the right track—even when he didn’t have all the answers.

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered that he was the Messiah.  Jesus commended him for his answer.  It was inspired by God.

At the same time, Peter didn’t fully understand.  He had faith in Jesus, but he couldn’t fathom how Jesus would be crucified and raised.  He was most likely thinking of Jesus as an earthly Messiah.  Gratefully, that didn’t stop him.  He continued to follow in the steps of Jesus.

It’s very much the same for us.  We learn and grow within the Christian community.  We may come to a point where we feel compelled to boldly proclaim Jesus.  At the same time, we really do not have all the answers.  Each of us are learning and growing, one day at a time.

It would have been a disaster if Peter gave up after being reminded he didn’t fully understand.  The same would be disastrous for us as well.  Faith isn’t about having all the answers.  God doesn’t look for us to have all the answers.  He looks to us to trust in him and then grow in our understanding.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for revealing yourself to me as the Messiah.  Help me to continue to trust in you and follow you even when I do not fully understand.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20