Peter was confronted with a question that would transform his life.

“Who do you say I am?” asked Jesus.

Who was this person Peter had left his fishing business to follow?

Who really was the Jesus he had spent so much time with?

And Peter, who was already being changed by being with Jesus, replied:  “You are the

 Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

This may have seemed an impetuous reply to Jesus’ question.

But it was inspired, for God was revealing to Peter who Jesus is.  Peter was not parroting

 words that other people had told him.  Peter’s words sprung out of his daily experiences

and his realisation that Jesus is that special One from God.  Jesus is the evidence that God

 is alive and cares for his people.  Jesus is the proof that God wants to be present with his

 people.

Peter’s statement of faith in Jesus has also to be taken along with Peter’s later

 experiences.  Peter learned that faith in Jesus is not without its problems or sacrifices,

 but it is a life which Jesus offers to share with us. Jesus’ mission is to draw us closer to

 God, so that we can grasp that transforming relationship with God for ourselves and from

 which Jesus already draws his strength. In this, Jesus offers us a unique role which we

 can each play in the coming of God’s kingdom of love. This is the kingdom that Peter was

charged by Jesus to safeguard and to live and die for.  It is the way of love that starts with

 an expression of faith in Jesus as the One from the living God.

 To enter this kingdom means facing up to the inadequacy of our attempts at

self-sufficiency.  It means confronting our selfishness and accepting the challenge to

change not only our thinking but the way we behave. It depends on people like Peter, who

despite all their human failings and their ability to deny and reject Jesus, can be

 empowered by God to achieve great things for good.  It depends on people who despite

 their weaknesses are prepared to put who they are and what they can be at God’s

 disposal. 

They are people who have an honest and realistic estimation of themselves, and about

 what little they can achieve by themselves.  They are people who offer their different

 talents and skills to bless others and so combine to make possible the coming of God’s

 kingdom.

It is about being transformed by Jesus’ message of love. It takes to heart Jesus’ teaching

 that “God blesses those who realise their need of him.”

 This is the way to be received into the kingdom of heaven.            (Mathew 5:3)

 It is also possible because of Jesus’ promise to continue to be God’s presence with us

 each day.  For Jesus shows how he is both here with us and also just ahead of us.

 He is here to help us overcome our weaknesses and limitations. 

God comes to us in Jesus just as we are, and meets us at our point of need and gives us

hope that there will be light in darkness, that there will be life in place of death, and that

 there will be love, compassion and justice instead of hatred, selfishness and oppression.

He comes to us in our troubles and fears.  As he did when his disciples were buffeted by

 the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus says:   “It’s all right. I am here!  Don’t be afraid.”

 (Mathew 15:22-28)

He stands among those in despair as he did with his disciples in the Upper Room when

 they thought they had lost him.

Jesus says:   “Peace be with you…..

                           …. Receive the Holy Spirit…

                                                          …. If you forgive sins they are forgiven.”  (John 20:19-23)

He is ahead as the Way, the Truth and the Life, preparing that place for us in God’s

presence, in the Father’s home.   (John 14:1-7)

 He both leads us and is with us.  “Follow me”, and “I am with you” are the words Jesus

 gives to all his disciples, as he sends us out to be his living presence in this world.

 Those who accept this commission go knowing Jesus promises to be with them to the

 very end of time.           (Matthew 28:18-20).

In all this Jesus encourages people who, despite all their failings and weaknesses, are

 prepared to put who they are and what they can be at God’s disposal.  It means following

into places of risk and danger to where Jesus is, as Peter did that first Good Friday before

 Jesus’ crucifixion. It is also means being a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

The risen Jesus asks Peter on the seashore:       “Do you love me?”

“Lord, you know everything.  You know I love you”, says Peter.

Jesus says, “Then feed my sheep.”

Then Jesus tells Peter, “Follow me.”             (John 21: 15-19) 

This kingdom of love requires a new way of thinking, in which, when we recognise Jesus,

 we know forgiveness, follow him and depend on God.  This is the transformed thinking

 which denies self, and sacrifices dependence on the customs of this world.

 It is also to know that we are not alone, but part of a body of people who follow Jesus and

 who support each other.  For we do need each other’s support.  This thinking gives us a

 purpose in life. We are each valuable to God.

How we behave, as God transforms us and uses of the gifts we have been given, will bring

 benefits to other people.  How we serve, support, lead and encourage others can open the

 door of the kingdom to people who have yet to change their thinking and see who Jesus

 really is, and what Jesus can mean for them.

In this transformed behaviour we can help others to catch a glimpse of the risen Jesus and

 know the presence of the living God for themselves.

AMEN.