When you read Luke's words today, you might ask why Jesus is so concerned about what other people are saying about him. Perhaps your understanding of Jesus might be somewhat challenged by the question. "Who do they (the various people that are following him) say that I am? When he listens to the disciples' response to the question, Jesus moves on to another form of the same interrogation. He asks Peter a similar question: "Who do you say that I am?" So, if Jesus is not concerned about his poll figures among his followers and disciples, what is the meaning of the questions?
Let's combine the two answers. We hear the interpretation of the crowds opinions: the answers basically were expressions of expectations of the Messiah that was to come to save the people. The we listen to the response of the "Speaker of the House of Apostles," Peter: "The Christ of God." By this he means the Messiah, the savior. Jesus then instructs them not to share this information with the people or authorities.
He then shares with them the kind of Messiah he truly will be ... a Messiah that will offer his life in suffering for his people.
The gospel stands as yet another moment in our lives when we might do some interior examination. Imagine if Jesus came before you at this very moment and asked, "Who do you say that I am?" How would you respond to this question? It is important for each of us to have an answer to that question because it is the question that we should be ready for at a moment in our lives when Jesus does speak to us.
