Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” God helps us live the answer.
Reflection by Ed Chell
Jesus’ asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
Good Question…. Let’s sit or dwell in that question for a while and explore.
I will to begin with words of Thanks, talk about names, ponder the cross and then wrap up with thanksgiving before moving on to the meal
Words of Thanks…
- Cycling and Construction so I can notice the students at Cedar Hill Middle School
- Volunteers this summer at Luther Court
- Luther Court participating in Vacation Bible School this summer with Church of the Cross
- Food supply truck in parking lot this week for Community kitchen
- Pastor Lyle and all years of contribution to ministry
- Knitters who prepared an honour blanket for those who die at Luther Court and are escorted with an honour walk out the front door
- Look at the Newsletter and all going on through Lutheran Church of the Cross.
- Take a moment to name what you are thankful for…..
- Good to name our context and bring our thankful hearts to mediation
Names
Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah”
So we have the description of Jesus as the Messiah. A weighty name. The Annointed one. The one all of Israel has been waiting for. The Spirit of God. Perhaps this is why Jesus said keep this quiet for now. It is difficult to grasp. It is also what caused all the trouble. God’s spirit is powerful and is to be respected.
Then Jesus told them not to tell anyone.
It has been Jewish custom not to even say the name of God so as not to break the command to use God’s name in vain.
Names… – Anyone know the meaning of your name? Edward – guardian of riches Ed in Hebrew means witness
How about choosing a name – for child? Pet? Or a church. Lutheran Church of the Cross. Here we are at the cross roads.
At Luther Court we include the names of loved ones in our prayers and we hear the names of everyone as part of the blessing in devotions.
The name Jesus means – God saves or God is our salvation
What are some names of God that you can think of? Yahweh, Adonai, Rock, Redeemer, Creator, Wisdom, I AM, Elohim …
God’s love is powerful. God’s name is powerful. It is hard to describe God’s powerful love.
While studying to become a pastor I recall a time of crisis. I wondered in my heart, “What am I doing here?” What is this all about? Facing these questions are important times of formation. I do not recall how long I lingered on the question. I do distinctly remember hearing the word “Incarnation” and then repeating ‘Incarnation’ as I walked through a door to the parking lot. It was a moment of revelation of sorts. An Aha moment. It means God taking on human flesh. The divine becoming human. In essence, God joining us in this earthly life or journey. That was something I could be a part of.
God interested in the everyday experience of life. From the taste of coffee or the smell of fresh ground pepper or fresh baked bread to the more monumental moments of birth or death and all the complexity between. God cares about it all and most of all cares about how people care for people.
God enters the world in the person of Jesus.
Since we are talking about names. How about Jesus? This can be a name of comfort for some. For others it triggers something like a trauma response. In chaplaincy, I have conversations with people of diverse life experience. As an experiment, try mentioning Jesus in a conversation with people and watch the response. Some may nod in affirmation.
Others might be looking for the nearest exit. There have been and still are things done in the name of Jesus that fail to communicate the love God has for people.
At the recent AGM of Luther court I expected that there would be people present that have a varied experience with the name Jesus. Some with strong Christian roots, some people from various faith traditions, and others who may have been hurt or offended by religion in some way. So, I decided to try something. What if I substituted another name for Jesus, just so the story could be heard. I realize that some would feel uncomfortable and that its okay too. I cannot say I came up with the perfect alternative. I just wanted to share a meaningful story of God’s spirit at work in the world. So, I thought what about God in Person or GIP for short. It both names what Jesus is all about and it also makes me smile. GIP. Can’t be any worse than any of the other acronyms in our world.
I did not hear much from people for this slight change. I did check in with a few folks who seldom say the name Jesus and asked them for their reaction. They noticed how it gave them room to enter the story. It was inclusive.
I am not making up a new term for the church here. Rather, I am hoping we get these few minutes in the question, “Who do you say that I am?”
It is an age-old quest to name or define who God is.
The question comes to us as an invitation to stand outside of ourselves so we can enter in again. Perhaps like going on vacation. We leave so can come home and rearrange the house or our world in a way that is closer to who we want to be or how we want to live.
The Cross
The discussion about the identity of Jesus is a turning point in the story. It is right in the middle of the Gospel of Mark. Jesus has been doing the work of showing up in the world – greeting, healing , feeding….Loving.
The disciples are just starting to grasp what Jesus is about. So, it is a good time to bring up the bigger plan – the cross. Jesus begins for the first of three times in Mark to tell of how things are going to play out. He will suffer, be killed and rise three days later.
Going to the cross – this is real.
God invites us to be real. Peter represents our desire to cover things up by telling Jesus to stop of what will happen, namely his death. Keep it from getting too real. Jesus steps in to say this is the reality of my life. There is value in what I am doing. This is the end of the sacrificial system. It is a shift for people to move from a posture of leaving sacrifices for God to a mindset or heart set of leaving burdens with God.
No one can say, “Dear God, you do not understand.” Indeed, God understands our deepest, darkest and most lonely moments.
The cross makes room. Jesus carried shame so that we might leave our shame.
I recall a conversation with a prisoner when I worked as a chaplain there. They were sharing their experience of life and talking about all the bridges in life that have been burned. I wondered aloud in gentle voice, “I sound like there is some shame in there.” The response was expressive! “Shame is why I am here. That is why I use drugs, medication, alcohol…” Shame was running his life. It was like a pressure valve was flipped open to talk about it. After his outburst he was more settled. There was room to talk about how people in his life still actually love him and there is room to rebuild.
Bringing our shame to the cross makes room for us to hear. We are worth it. We belong. We are loved.
Jesus asked, ”Who do you say that I am?” to invite the followers to notice the loving he is doing in the world. The cross stands for us asking us what we need to let go of? What do we help letting go? so that we can be the loved, forgiven precious children of God that we are.
Words of Thanksgiving…
- Our names so that we can be included
- The story of God constantly looking for ways to show up in the world
- The cross as a reminder that God wishes to make our loads lighter
- Food trucks
- People willing to work together to welcome refugees
- Moments to gather in worship so that we can name the week past and ponder the week ahead
- Water that reminds us that we are precious children in the heart of God
- Add your thanks…
- May it be so. Amen.
Children’s message
Who am I?
- Tree
- Happy
- Sad
Jesus felt all feelings that we feel. That means God understands
You are a precious Child of God. – Sprinkle with water. Life is messy sometimes. Get hands wet and gently make a mark “ you are a precious child of God.” You can do this at home this afternoon if you like.
On the way to communion – might take turns with each other. Ask. Or mark self . remind that you are a precious child of God. In all that you are God loves you.
