Some have said Jesus was a teacher. Some say he was crazy, or that he never even existed. Some say he was a great healer and man of wisdom. Some have said he was a reincarnated prophet like Elijah, Jeremiah or John the Baptist.
Blessed are you who believe that he is the Anointed One, the only true Son of the living God, for such faith is not your doing, but a gift from God.
Song
‘Love divine, all loves excelling’, courtesy of Emu Music. You can also find this video directly at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udfVtSSZSyg
Prayer
Let us pray.
Lord God, maker of heaven and earth, we gather together in your name. We come as living sacrifices, to offer you our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Come among us, living Lord. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and minds so that we may recognize your presence, hear your voice, know your will, and walk in your way. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Matthew 16:13-20. The words are below and there is a Lumo video of the reading following them. The video can also be accessed directly at the following Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oS_rJqV50s
Matthew 16:13-20
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Message
The message is brought to you by Rev. Keith Robinson, who explores the meaning of Jesus’ question to his disciples, ‘Who do you say that I am?’
What did you hear in the Word today? Who do you say that Jesus is? How might your Christian community be a place that unlocks the kin-dom of heaven?
Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God. You may prefer to do this while listening to the ‘Optional reflective music’ below.
Optional reflective music
The musical reflection for today is, “Jesu“ by Gurrumul. Licensed to Youtube. Gospel songs were the first western music Gurrumul heard as a very young child when his family took him to the local Methodist church on Elcho Island [warning: “This video may contain images and voices of deceased people”]. If you have problems connecting, you can also try this link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4LiJiiSlf8&t=156s
Prayers for others
You may like to join in praying as you watch this video led by Ros Robinson.
Blessing
In the power of the Holy Spirit we now go forth into the world, to fulfil our calling as the people of God, the body of Christ.
Go in peace, love and care for one another in the name of Christ Jesus, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you, the love of God embrace you, and the presence of the Holy Spirit transform you and strengthen you for every good work, both now and forevermore. Amen.
Song
Our closing song is ‘Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us’, from ‘Songs of Praise’. You can also see it at the following YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA_g98O42Q4