‘Who do you say I am?’ Jesus asks a question that perplexes his disciples. They follow him because of what they hear and see, because they feel the magnetism of his call, because there is something about him which they can’t quite put their finger on. So, when faced with having to provide a definite answer, they resort to what others say: Elijah, John the Baptist, one of the Prophets risen from the dead. It is only Peter who declares, ‘You are the Messiah of God’ - an insight and knowledge that comes from God alone.

Jesus goes on to tell the disciples to keep this knowledge to themselves; he prepares them for his passion and resurrection which is to follow. The Messiah is not a triumphant Messiah but one who will suffer and embrace that suffering for our salvation.

As professed followers of Jesus, we need to answer his question for ourselves: ‘Who do I say Jesus is?’ When we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, we also acknowledge that we are prepared to witness even in the shadow of the cross.