Jesus asks the others who do people say that I am. What an  unknowable question to ask. Jesus doesn’t know that he’s the son of God? Jesus doesn’t know that he is God? Jesus doesn’t know that he’s the son of a carpenter? That his mother loves blue dresses. 

Why is it important for him to ask other people who he is?  A tad self-involved, don’t you think? Do we ask other people who they think we are? Never. We show them. Who we are is seen in and through our words and actions. Even seen in our inaction not unheard in our words. 

But not Jesus Christ. He wants to play Drew Carey holding that thin microphone, in front of an television audience, asking Johnny Gilbert (I think he’s dead) to bring up the next contestants. 

“Who do people say that I am,” asks the Son of God. First one says, “John the Baptist.” Urnnn. Jesus replies, “If I’m not mistaken you’re able to see my head.” Next loser guesses Elijah to which host Jesus says, “He died centuries ago, do your homework.”

Jesus repeats the question before the first commercial break and the guy who wants everyone to like him (check his identity) announces, “One of the prophets!”  Jesus smilingly says, “You just gave a genetic answer that could amount to anyone but yes, I am one of the prophets. But you still lose.” Urnnn.

The first pope buzzes in with the correct answer and Jesus kindly looks at him and solemnly nods his head. (Break for commercial.)

Minutes later, after too many commercials, in this make-believe quiz show, our host predicts suffering for himself and needing “flint” for his cheeks, not rebelling and never, ever turning back, (declaring) “See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong?”

Who proved him wrong was the first pope! He was born Simon, the gameshow host changed his name to Peter and now renames him Satan. (That’s a lot of visits to City Hall and filling out all those forms about changing your name.)

Jesus played many serious games with his disciples. They so very often either ignored, questioned, didn’t understand or thought only of themselves. Sound a bit like us?

Jesus played us and we fell for it. The division of uncovering personal identity is always 3/4 for and about you and 1/4 for the others to either guess, gossip about or just makeup. Jesus today made it the opposite by offering 3/4 of himself to others and nobody got it, or got him—gameshow over. In postproduction add the clapping, laughter, and closing credits and then put the show on the schedule.

How else can you successfully and joyfully your live – both mentally and spiritually except with the 3/4 of you growing and evolving within and for you, through the grace of God, the witness of our host Jesus Christ, and the ever-present presence of the Holy Spirit.

The unknowing 1/4? That’s up to the watching audience.