Preface for Pastors and Parents
This children’s sermon on Matthew 16:13-20 explores the scene when Jesus asks who the disciples say he is. Simon Peter says “You’re the Messiah! The Son of the living God!” (It’s the Gospel reading for “Proper 16(21)” in the lectionary, though you can use it when it suits your needs. Here’s my “Monday Meditation” on the same passage.)
It’s a noteworthy moment for Peter. He actually gets it right for once. Though he frequently sticks his foot in his mouth, here he’s spot on, and Jesus praises him for it. Jesus names him, or affirms his name, or maybe makes his nickname official: He’s “Peter” from now on, the “rock” who was first to show solid faith.
Or at least Jesus takes it as faith. The nature of faith is quite an interesting thing to explore in the New Testament. Often, in the Gospels as well as the Epistles, faith is trust — trusting that Jesus can and will come through with the help that is needed. But here, what Jesus calls “faith” is more a case of believing the right thing to be true. It’s sort of doctrinal faith instead of the usual relational faith. Both are important.
And that’s just one of the things going on here that I can’t really explore in a children’s sermon on Matthew 16;13-20.
A Very Rich Passage
There is also the vexing question that divides Protestants and Catholics as to whether Jesus planned to build the Church on Peter personally (and therefore all his heirs as the bishops of Rome), or if he aimed to build on those who share Peter’s clear, correct, and firm faith. Not going there with the kiddos.
Then there’s Jesus statement that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. I suspect many people picture the Church on the defensive, attacked by hellish forces. But the opposite is clearly the case. The gates of hell are on their hinges, locking people in. The Church is supposed to break through, open up those gates, and bring people out. If we are the Church Jesus thought we would be, nothing can stop us in pursuit of his mission to break down hell’s doors and bring its inhabitants to new life. Great stuff, but not going there either.
Also I won’t be dealing with the enticing promises Jesus gives here about doing whatever we ask if we pray in his name. Many is the kid who has struggled, and painfully, with the fact that Jesus actually doesn’t do what we ask a great deal of the time. Those bits of teaching need more context than I can give in a children’s sermon.
I simply cannot put all of that into a children’s sermon on Matthew 16:13-20. Instead I’m going to try to weave in a bit of context so the kids can hear and wonder together about one crucial part of this amazing passage.
A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 16: 13-20
Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon. Today’s story comes from right in the middle of the story of Jesus’ life and work. It’s kind of a turning point.
Before this story, Jesus had been showing the disciples who he really was, but he wasn’t telling them in words. The had to figure it out by watching. It was kind of a mystery. It was probably kind of confusing.
Today, in this story, Jesus tells them exactly who he really is.
After this story, since the disciples know who Jesus really is, Jesus tells them over and over about what is going to happen at the end of his life. He tells them he’s going to suffer, to die on the cross, and then rise, alive again, on Easter Sunday.
Son of Man?
One day Jesus and his friends were talking. I suspect they were talking about the Bible. Why? Because of something Jesus asked them.
Jesus said “Hey you guys! You have heard about the ‘Son of Man,’ right?”
“Well sure,” said Matthew. Matthew knew the Bible really well. “Sometimes in the Bible the phrase ‘son of man’ means any ordinary person. Then in the book of Ezekiel, God always calls Ezekiel ‘son of man,’ like it’s his job title. He’ll say, ‘O son of man, say this to the people!’ and stuff like that. But then in the book of Daniel, Daniel has visions where he sees God sending someone he calls the ‘Son of Man’.”
“Right,” Jesus said. “Which one of those do people mean when they say something about ‘the Son of Man’?”
“I think they always mean that last one.” Matthew said. “The guy in the vision.”
“Yeah,” said John. “That vision in Daniel is so memorable. People say its about the coming of the Messiah.”
“Okay, that makes sense.” Jesus said. “Now, tell me: when people talk about the ‘Son of Man’ who do they seem to think he is?”
“Well,” said John, thinking hard, “It’s such a mysterious person in Daniel’s vision. Somebody sent by God…”
“You know,” said Andrew, “before I met you, Jesus, back when I followed John the Baptist, we kind of thought John the Baptist might be the Son of Man.”
Matthew said, “And some people think the Son of Man will be one of the prophets come back to life — maybe because God always called Ezekiel ‘son of man.’ Like, it could maybe be Elijah or Jeremiah alive again.”
Jesus?
“Okay,” Jesus said. “Let me ask you another question. Who do you guys say that I am?”
“You mean, do we think you are the ‘son of man?” asked Matthew. “I did notice that sometimes when you say ‘son of man’ you seem to be talking about yourself.”
“No,” said Jesus. “Before I wanted to know who other people said the Son of Man is. Now I’m asking who you guys say that I am.”
They all kind of looked at each other, a little bit confused. It was kind of an odd question, really.
Finally Peter broke the silence: “You’re the Messiah, Jesus. I’m sure of it. You’re the Son of the living God. I’d tell anybody that.”
Jesus smiled at Peter like a teacher smiles at the kid who gave the right answer.
“You’re right, Peter,” he said. “You have so much faith. That’s why I call you Peter. Peter means rock and your faith is strong and solid. Like a rock — the rock I’ll build my church on. But don’t tell anybody I’m the Messiah.”
“Why not?” asked Peter. “Its true! Aren’t we supposed to tell the truth?”
“It’s a little complicated,” Jesus said, “You always need to tell the truth. But some true things are for now, and some true things are for later. It is kind of a secret for now, that I’m the Messiah. I’ll keep teaching, and I’ll keep healing people just like before. But I want you to let people figure out who I am just like you did.”
Wondering
I wonder what it was like figuring out that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s own Son?
I wonder what it was like for Peter to hear Jesus say he was solid as a rock because of his faith?
I wonder what it was like having to keep Jesus’ secret about his being the Messiah?
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