Rational Arguments and Convincing Proofs

In this morning’s gospel lesson (Proper 16, Year A) we hear the story of the Confession of St. Peter (Matthew 16:13-20). Jesus asks his disciples who people say that the Son of Man is, and they reply, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus makes the question more personal when he asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter boldly proclaims, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” which is, of course, exactly the right answer.

I’m not always as bold as Peter. I prefer to ponder all the nuances before answering any question, but especially a question as big as the one Jesus asks—“But who do you say that I am?” Peter’s answer lies at the root of our faith. He embraces the truth that Jesus is who he says he is—God’s anointed, the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Our walk as disciples begins when we become curious about who Jesus is and decide to follow him to learn more.

Someone asked me recently what convinced me to believe what I believe. I paused to think for a minute because that’s what I do. I deliberate. I ponder. I try to keep questions open for as long as possible. My response surprised me a little bit. I said, “I don’t think anything convinced me to believe what I believe.” There was no rational argument or convincing proof that would have brought me back into faith. I had spent much time and energy poking holes in rational arguments and convincing proofs. But nevertheless, I do believe. My answer to Jesus’s question is Peter’s answer. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Having all the correct answers and making all the correct choices are not the basis of our faith. We discover the faith that Peter did when we open ourselves to the presence of the Risen Christ in ourselves, in our community, and in the world. And as Jesus reminds Peter, “flesh and blood” doesn’t reveal this to us. God does. We come to believe because we experience God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s renewal in Jesus who is present within us and among us, and we trust that he is, indeed, who he says he is.