THE SUPREME QUESTION

The Southern California Newspaper — The Orange County Register — reported in their May 22, 1998 edition about a tragic event that happened in Laguna Niguel and in San Juan Capistrano; two very beautiful, and expensive communities.

Whether caused by the infamous El Niño weather or by earthmoving equipment grading lower land for new construction, homes suddenly broke apart and slid down hills to certain destruction. In Laguna Niguel, 5 homes and 21 condo units were destroyed.

In San Juan Capistrano, the earth shuddered. John Curtis woke up, thinking a distant earthquake had hit—no big deal. He dragged his trash cans to the curb and went back into his kitchen for a drink of water. As he looked out into his yard, he suddenly saw that three-quarters of his yard was gone. A landslide hit without warning and sheared the backyards three homes. In one moment an $80,000 swimming pool and 300,000 cubic yards of dirt dropped 100 feet down the hillside (Orange County Register, May 22, 1998). These homes had sensational panoramic views and $Million-Dollar values, but that did not give them security. Many homes in several neighborhoods were totally destroyed. Why? They were not built on solid rock!

That is true for our relationship with Christ too! As Christians, we claim to believe that we have forgiveness of sin, peace with a holy God, and the certainty of everlasting life in heaven. But how can we be so sure? The answer is to be found in the solid Rock—Jesus.

Imperfect Opinions

There are a variety of opinion about Jesus.

Christ prefaced the personal question with a more general one that had to do with the impression He had made on the general public during His brief ministry (v. 13). This question brought to the surface many answers. The Sadducees said He was a lunatic. The Pharisees regarded Him as a winebibber and glutton. The Scribes regarded Him as unlearned.

On the other hand, some views of Jesus, though inadequate, were not entirely false. People had been impressed by His character, His personality. They had place Him among the greatest sons of Israel.

Some had been so impressed with His earnestness that they though He may have been John the Baptist back from the dead, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet (v. 14). But such opinions, however flattering, were not enough; they fell far short in describing Christ.

In our day, many give Jesus great credit—as a man, even a man of God—but not as the Messiah.

People still offer good and favorable opinions about who Christ was. Many observations about the morality of the Lord’s teaching or His concern for the well-being of mankind are complimentary. However, they express nothing about the true nature or mission of Jesus Christ.

Our verdict on His person is inadequate if we merely elevate Him to the highest rant of men.

Since this attitude is so prevalent today as it was when He first posed the question, we must face afresh the challenge of our Lord’s question.

Rival Claims to Men’s Loyalty

In his Historical Geography of the Holy Land, George Adam Smith draws attention to the importance of the location where Jesus asked His question, “Who do YOU say that I am?” One can imagine that the gleaming marble temple where Caesar was worshiped caught the attention of the disciples as they stood with Christ outside of Caesarea Philippi.

Near that temple was also a grotto devoted to the worship of the Greek god, Pan. There they stood — two deities setting forth their rival claims.

To the pagan mind, this cave created a gate to the underworld, where fertility gods lived during the winter. It was here that the people committed detestable acts to worship these false gods in the hope that they would provide whatever it was they were seeking.

And over against them, challenging them, stood the demands of Jesus, the “Son of the living God.” (v. 16).

The situation has not changed in 2,000 years. There are those today who still worship the idol of power, those who remain entranced by the pleasures of this world. And, there remain a countless number who look to the god of science to provide answers to those things which they seek. Perhaps a cure for cancer. Maybe it’s a vaccine for the pandemic we are living with now.

If our historical confession of faith presumes to make its claim about the person of Jesus Christ, all other rival claimants to which man remain loyal to today must be rejected.

Our Attitude Toward Christ’s Cross and Our Own

It is significant that in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus has nothing to say about His own sufferings and those of His followers until this crucial question has been faced and answered.

The moment Peter gives the right answer and affirms Christ’s divinity, Jesus shifts the conversation to the suffering awaiting Him in Jerusalem (v. 21). The view one takes of the cross of Christ will depend on the view one takes of His person.

If Jesus is only a great man, then His death has no more importance than that of any martyr who died for a noble cause. BUT, if Jesus is God, then His cross becomes the vicarious suffering of God Himself, whose sacrifice avails for the sins of the world.

Suffering is also part of our calling as Christians.

When the Gospel was first preached, Christians were persecuted; not to be ashamed of Christ meant torture and death.

Witnessing to the faith may still lead to suffering and self-denial — our own personal cross. When we undergo such personal suffering and loss for Christ’s sake, then the view we hold of His person must drive our attitude toward such hardship.

In our present day fear over catching this virus is raging like a California brush fire. This is causing a type of paralysis that is keeping countless Christians across this great country from doing those things God has called us to do: Gathering together with other believer. Receiving the Sacrament. Working together in fellowship with the greater Body of Christ. The evil one uses fear as a tool to keep us away from one another, because he knows true encouragement is found here.

Clinging to the promises of God on the other hand, in the midst of hardship and fear, knowing that He is truly Divine and with us as only God can be, we shall not need to bear alone the burden of suffering and fear, for He will always be at our side.

Friends, God will guard you. Psalm 91:11

Psalm 91:11 ESV

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Isn’t it encouraging to know that God sends His angels, His messengers, to surround us wherever we go. Thousands upon thousands of His emissaries sent to protect His children. We are not alone in this world. God uses His angels to guard us, to guide us, and to protect us. He will command His angels; He will command His angels concerning you! Yes, you are know by God in heaven. You are known by name in the throne-room of the King of kings. He will command His angels concerning you! Oh, how the imagination takes off as we think about God commanding His angles concerning you. “Go and rescue Sarah!” Go and encourage Tom!” Go and be the escort for Carol, for Mary Jo, for Bob!” Go! Go! Go! He will command His angels concerning you to guard you; to go in front of you, to go behind you. To be to your right and to your left, to watch over you as you sleep. To watch over you are you venture outside the safety of your home to receive the Sacrament, to hear God’s Word. He will command His angels to guard you over whatever concerns you, in all your ways.

Everything you do is important to the kingdom of God, because you are a child of the King of kings. Everything you do is important to the body of Christ, because the body of Christ needs you. Will you receive this promise today that “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways?”

So my friends, be careful how you build your next house. Be even more certain that your faith is built on the solid Rock, which is Christ. “On Christ the solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand” (LW 368; TLH 370).