When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptiser, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets”. He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. (Matthew 16: 13 – 16)

Back in the 1950s there was a popular TV quiz show called What’s My Line? Four celebrity panellists would each ask questions until they received a “no” answer from aa contestant. They were trying to guess the contestant’s unusual occupation. The contestant would receive cash for each question that could be answered with a “no”. Each show also featured a celebrity whose identity the panel had to guess while blindfolded. It wasn’t a very sophisticated show, but audiences found it entertaining.

Jesus seems to be playing a similar game with the disciples. Until Peter spoke, they all gave the answers that they were hearing from the crowds – good and logical answers, but wrong nevertheless. Peter shouts out the right answer. Jesus is “The Christ, the Son of the living God”. For that answer he is given the prize, the honour of being the rock upon which the church would be built.

The disciples heard this and were told by Jesus not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. We hear the same message today. But the roles have changed. We are to preach to all who will hear that Jesus is the Christ