For I’m building a people of power 

And I’m making a people of praise 

That will move through this land by My Spirit 

And will glorify My precious name 

Chorus

Build Your Church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord. 

Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son 

Make us one, Lord in Your Body 

In the kingdom of Your Son.

Build Your Church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord. 

Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son 

Make us one, Lord in Your Body 

In the kingdom of Your Son 

Jesus is not interested in taking a popularity poll but in building up a people of power, His Church. Jesus’ question in our lectionary reading was first set up to know from His disciples what people say about Him, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? (Matt 16: 13-19). The question of what people in Judea and Galilee thought, taught, and said about Jesus Christ is very important because it resonates with us today as we face false teaching, church decline, and leadership issues. Jesus’ question calls the Church to move from a maintenance mentality and expression to a mission mindset, and this requires a genuine conversion of its members and leadership.

In Matthew 14:2, the thought of Herod Antipas influenced the people’s perception that John had been raised from the dead and was able to perform miracles. In Malachi 4:5, Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before the great and awesome day of the Lord, which led some people to believe that Jesus was Elijah, given that Elijah was one of the few miracle workers in the scriptures. Beyond reserving and following the thoughts and opinions of the powerful elites, ruling classes, and nations that shape the Church as an institution, Jesus’ question demands a personal, decisive response as the ‘Assembly’ of saved people.

The reflection is that the thoughts, opinions, theologies, and actions of church leadership would either mislead or confuse the people about Jesus’ identity. Leadership and membership devoid of faith and oversight as a spiritual and visible expression of our relationship with Jesus Christ not only promote biblical illiteracy and church decline, but they also promote false theology. The people’s response also affirms the fact that Jesus faced rejection in many cities, churches, and leaderships, and there is no difference today.

Beyond what people are saying about Jesus, Jesus is primarily interested in a decisive conversation, wanting to know from His disciples about His identity, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:16). Simon Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus praised Peter for his response, “Blessed are you, Simon’s son of Jonah! Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven” (v.17).

Peter’s responses reveal two means of revelation – through Flesh and blood, that is, natural and carnal observations (The Pharisees and Sadducees). Despite our relational proximity, there are some things that people do not know about us because they are Flesh and blood. Our identity, beyond human gossip, is in Jesus Christ and God revealed. It is not based on ethnicity or race, nor on biology.  

There is a revelation from God in heaven based on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Peter put into confession his spiritual knowledge and awareness to express this revelation from God about Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus, in His response to Peter’s confession, said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.” But then Jesus says to Simon, “You are rock, and, on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (v.17).

Jesus’ statement warns us that the health, growth, integrity, and essence of His Church, that is, His Assembly, is not based on appeal, communique or debate to popular opinion. The health, growth, and integrity of the Church, according to Jesus’ statement, are guaranteed throughout the centuries, not through the ministrations of an institutional or theological elite, but through heavenly revelation from His Assembly of saved people, such as Peter. The Church of Jesus is the Assembly of people and leaders living out their faith as an expression of their relationship with Jesus Christ. This transcends race, titles, and degrees.

Faithful confession builds our faith, just as Jesus is building His Church, based on confession —the statement of Peter about Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Faithful confession, like Peter’s confession, highlights the core of Christian belief: that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. Peter’s expression of core Christian belief resonates with the theologies of Apostle Paul and John Wesley, particularly in their emphasis on foundational truth and the importance of personal faith, as well as the active proclamation of the gospel.

The Church, beyond popular polls, is where its leadership and membership strive for holiness, unity, fellowship, and integrity by being truthful in their words and actions, avoiding deceit, hypocrisy, and gossip. Living according to biblical principles and striving for moral purity is essential for maintaining internal integrity. Deception, betrayal, corruption, and hypocrisy damage the Church’s witness and integrity. The Church, beyond popular polls, is shaped by missional faith, a faith that witnesses to the world in truth and spirit, where beliefs reflect behaviours and words.

Prayer focus: Lord Jesus, help us as leaders and members of Your Church to lead and live our faith as an expression of our personal relationship with you.