A Searching Question

A Searching Question
Pentecost 13; Matthew 16:13-20
I hoped to change opinions
when I have said and written
some fervent words and sermons
in answer to his question:
“But who do you say I am?”

What people say about him
so often seems distorted,
and other people suffer
through prejudice and judgement.
Such harm is not from Jesus.

His misused name made victims:
lost cultures, language, children;
crusades, witch hunts and burnings;
bombs in abortion clinics -
allegedly for Jesus.

Though Peter dared to name him
“Messiah”, he was mistaken
in seeing a new David
empowered to save the nation,
not Suffering Servant dying.

Do “Lord” and “King” mislead us,
for those so named in history
were mostly far from Christ-like?
Men even used his maleness
to dominate the women.

No wonder Jesus told them,
“Don’t talk of the Messiah!”
Too often titled leaders
are glorified abusers
with idols in their image.

If what you think of Jesus
excludes or harms another,
examine how you see him
in light of his commandments:
love God and love your neighbour!

Love prompts us to seek answers
to Jesus’ searching question.
If God is love, then Jesus
embodies all that’s loving
and those who love are godly.

How live that love in practice?
An open mind for wisdom,
respect for diverse being,
compassion for the suffering,
humility to listen.
	Barbara Messner 19/08/2026
“But God loves things by becoming them.
God loves things by uniting with them, not by excluding them.” Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ, (Convergent Books 2021) p. 16