Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - August 23, 2026
The M3 - Monday Morning Mail
(Slides)
Retreat with Jesus
My opening comment referenced the many retreats I went on as a youngster with my church youth group. I remembered that these retreats did what they were intended to do: bring me closer to God and the people I was with at the time. I commented I’m not sure why young people today seem less interested in retreats. I said perhaps it’s another phenomenon of the mobile phone.
In the reading from Matthew 16, Jesus goes on a retreat with his apostles. He goes over 105 miles away from Jerusalem to Caesarea Phillip in the northeast of Israel. By this time in the Gospel of Matthew, he’s getting serious resistance from the religious establishment and likely his disciples are feeling it. He needs to build them up. Matthew records the retreat’s topic quickly: who do people say that I am and who do you say that I am, Peter! It really is the only question that matters in life. Who is Jesus?
I offered some examples of how people think about Jesus: some see him as a friend, others a prophet, for some he’s the great teacher, and lastly I suggested that recently he has been characterized like a personal trainer—a life coach.
While all these are true, they do not quite suffice. Peter gets it right! In Matthew 14 he doubts Jesus and begins to sink into the water! Now, he boldly confesses, “You are the Christ! The Son of the Living God!” Jesus remarks that this is spot on and that it has been revealed to Peter by God himself!
Who do you say that Jesus is? Do you have a tight, simple answer like Peter! Maybe his words are worth repeating! What Peter confesses though is what the Scriptures reveal: he is the long-promised Messiah, the fulfillment of YHWH’s promises. He is much more than a friend, teacher, prophet, and life-coach. He is the First and the Last, the Savior of the world, and he is your Savior! This is the take-home lesson for Jesus’ disciples on their retreat. Perhaps you need a retreat, too!