“FOLLOWING
JESUS”
a sermon based on Matthew 16:21-28
by Rev. Richard Thompson
Can you believe the infatuation
with celebrities in America? Brad and Angelina. Alex Rodriguez and Madonna.
Tiger Woods. Martha Stewart. The antics of Britney Spears. The King, Elvis
Presley, still wildly popular more than 30 years after his death. Princess
Diana—while she was alive, and even after her death. And on and on our
infatuation goes.
And everywhere any of them makes an
appearance, the media and die-hard fans are certain to show up. They all have
their fans, and they all have their fan clubs, each having thousands who claim
to be their #1 fan.
In last week’s Gospel reading, it
appeared Peter was going to be the #1 fan of Jesus. He’d been following Jesus
for some time, had been captivated by the person and power of Jesus, had even
been rescued from drowning by Jesus. So, when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who
do you say that I am?”, Peter, prompted by the Spirit, was ready to
respond. Enthusiastically, boldly, wholeheartedly, with a deep and profound
confession of faith, Peter declared, “You are the Christ”—the long-awaited
Messiah—“the Son of the living God!” Peter was ready to make Jesus King of
Israel and serve as his chief assistant!
But then Jesus started talking
about what it meant for him to be Messiah.
. . .
