Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:18-27. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on October 6, 2024.
Jesus often used moments of reflection to teach deep spiritual truths, and one such moment unfolds in Luke 9:18-27. After a whirlwind of ministry—healing, teaching, and feeding thousands—Jesus retreats to pray with His disciples. As they gather, He asks them a question that cuts through the noise of their experiences: “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The answers are varied. Some think He’s John the Baptist returned to life, others suggest Elijah, and still others, one of the ancient prophets resurrected. These responses, though intriguing, miss the mark.
Jesus then sharpens the focus: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter boldly answers, “The Christ of God.” Finally, someone gets it! In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus praises Peter for his insight, explaining that this revelation came directly from the Father. Yet, Peter’s understanding is incomplete. While he correctly identifies Jesus as the Christ, he doesn’t yet grasp the full meaning of this truth. This is evident when Jesus explains that being the Christ involves suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. Peter, horrified, rebukes Jesus, only to be sternly corrected: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23).
The tension in this passage is familiar. Many recognize Jesus but fail to fully comprehend who He is or what He demands. Even demons acknowledge Him as “the Son of the Most High God” (Luke 8:28), and Satan himself knows His identity (Matthew 4:3). But recognition without submission or faith is hollow. It’s not enough to know Jesus intellectually; we must embrace Him as Lord in every area of life.
Sadly, people often reduce Jesus to something less than He truly is. Some see Him as a great moral teacher, appreciating His wisdom while ignoring the radical demands of His teaching, like loving God above all else (Luke 14:26). Others treat Him as a self-help guru, twisting His words to fit modern ideas of personal happiness. A progressive blogger once claimed Jesus’ central message was to love oneself, an interpretation that misses the point entirely. Jesus calls us to self-denial, not self-indulgence (Mark 12:30-31). Still others view Him as a genie in a bottle, expecting Him to fulfill their every wish. This “prosperity gospel” mindset misrepresents the heart of the Christian life and leads to disillusionment when prayers don’t go as expected.
True discipleship means taking up our cross daily and following Jesus (Luke 9:23). It’s a call to deny ourselves and prioritize Him above all else. Like the man who sells everything to buy a treasure-filled field or a pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46), we must see Jesus as the most precious gift. This kind of devotion keeps us from being ashamed of Him or His words (Luke 9:26).
When we truly know Jesus as “The Christ of God,” our lives are transformed. This knowledge moves beyond intellectual assent to wholehearted faith, marked by a willingness to sacrifice everything for the One who gave His all for us. As Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). May we, too, live boldly in that truth.
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