Some see Jesus as a prophet, others as a great teacher, still others as a friendly companion who demands nothing, but who is he to you? Jesus put that question to his disciples in pagan Caesarea Philippi, and Peter’s answer changed everything (Matthew 16). The message moves from the confession “You are the Christ” to the sharp words in which Jesus explains that there is no Christianity without the cross, and to the conditions he sets for anyone who wants to follow him. Listen and ask yourself whether you are truly his disciple, or only own the right pair of shoes.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Caesarea Philippi people saw Jesus as John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah, because each picked what suited them best. What tailor-made pictures of Jesus do you come across around you today?
- Peter first confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and moments later hears, "Get behind me, Satan." What does this shift reveal about the difference between knowing Jesus and understanding His mission?
- The sermon presents three options: Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or He told the truth about Himself. How does this line of reasoning help you answer who He is for you personally?
- Why is Christianity without the cross, forgiveness and resurrection only a counterfeit? Where in your faith are you tempted to set your mind on human concerns rather than the things of God?
- For the first hearers, taking up a cross meant walking to death, not putting up with small troubles. What does denying yourself and saying goodbye to your old life mean for you in practice?
- The speaker tells of a half marathon: new shoes and a shirt did not make him a runner without training. What concrete step this week will help you follow Jesus every day, not just on Sunday?
