"You Say What?"

Luke 9:18-27 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to them all, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Indeed, truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Reflection

     It is not hard to imagine hearing Jesus ask "Who do you say that I am?" It feels very real and raw. Does he know what I don't say? It is very easy to say little or nothing. It seems to be a spotlight moment and this made me think of Oprah Winfrey asking audience members of her talk show, "You say what?" She has a great way of getting people to talk, so that they say what they are really thinking. She asks leading questions that are just slightly off of the predicted path. "But, what about you--what do YOU think?"

     Jesus turns the attention towards them, how do they see Jesus and talk about him when he is not around. This is the greatest way to know about the integrity of devotion. I imagine Jesus' questioning to be like a spiritual lie detector. He has access to the recordings if he really wants to know, but he asks. Will you say what you say in the exact manner that you say it? Or, will you try to make yourself sound a little better. God is no fool. God does not have any use for half-truths.

     The Jimmy Kimmel show comically does a bit called "Lie Witness News" where they interview unsuspecting people on the street about an event that didn't actually happen, but when put on the spot they go along with it like it happened. They lie about their impressions of the event. It is silly and entertaining. They should know better. Followers of Christ Jesus are loving truth tellers. We talk about Jesus and The Way of Love as it actually is.

Great God,

Guide the words of our mouths to faithful to your goodness. Loose our tongues when we need to speak up on your behalf and for the poor or oppressed. Help us to be ready to talk about you.  Give us words when we are feeling bashful and let us never be ashamed of your Way, Truth, and Life. In your name, we pray. Amen.