Scripture Daily

Context No. 2552 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 9:18-22: in context

18As he was praying alone, the disciples were near him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” 19They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21But he warned them and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.”

Jesus is praying alone with his disciples near, and he asks who the crowds say he is, then who they say he is. Peter answers, the Christ of God. But instead of celebrating the confession, Jesus warns them to tell no one, and immediately adds what kind of Christ he is: the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the leaders, be killed, and on the third day rise.

The confession and the cross are joined in the same breath. Peter names Jesus the Christ, and Jesus at once fills that title with suffering and death, not the conquering figure most were hoping for. It is one thing to confess Jesus as the Christ; it is another to accept the Christ he actually is, one who goes to a cross before a crown. We are tempted to keep the title and edit the job description, to want a Messiah who fixes and triumphs without the suffering. But the Christ Peter confessed said plainly he must suffer and be killed, and following him leads the same direction.

Is the Christ I confess the real one, who suffers and calls me to take up a cross, or a triumphant figure I have edited to my own liking?

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