Reflection on Matthew 16:13–20 — “Who do you say the Son of Man is?”
During Lent we are encouraged to slow down and think about our faith and connection with God. When I read Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus’ question appeared to me as one of these ‘thinking items’ for Lent.
Jesus starts by asking his disciples ‘who do you say the son of man is?’ They respond with some notable people: John the Baptist, Elijah or even some of the prophets.
Jesus then advances the conversation… ‘who do You say I am’. This is the point that stands out. The passage shifts from people to YOU. It has become personal. This is where a lot of young people struggle. We are out discovering ourselves, who we are, what values we want to uphold and what our faith actually means to us.
Peter then shouts, ‘You are the Messiah’. Peter isn’t always right. He doesn’t have the answers for everything. But in this moment, he just speaks honestly and truthfully and Jesus honours that. Jesus sees that Peter has potential, but he is human, and no human is perfect.
Lent reminds us that God works with everyone: people who are unsure, people who are still growing, people who are trying, people who are learning as they go. We don’t need to have everything figured out before we turn to Jesus. We just need to be willing to speak to him and be honest.
Jesus promises the gates of hell will not prevail. This serves as a reminder that faith isn’t fragile even when life feels messy or you have no idea what you’re doing – God’s love is steady. He holds us even when we are feeling like we are struggling to cling on ourselves.
So maybe this passage gives us a simple question for Lent: Who is Jesus to me right now?
Not who He was when you were a child, not who you think He’s supposed to be. Who He is to you just now, today, with everything you carry.
Lent isn’t about proving yourself to God, it’s about making space – space to be honest, space to grow, space to try, a space to let Jesus meet you where you are just like he did with Peter 2000 years ago.
Sometimes that’s all that’s needed, a moment of honesty can open so many more doors for God to do good in our lives.
Finaly Watson (QP YA Hub)