Et toi, tu es

It's a blessed Sabbath when I can understand the sermon in French. I'd say it happens about 40% of the time. This is my loose short-form interpretation and expansion of yesterday's.

"But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church..." Matthew 16:15-18

Simon Bar-Jonah confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah. As God the Father has revealed it to him, he proclaims the true identity of Christ. "You are the Christ."

Curiously enough, Jesus returns the gesture, immediately turning around and proclaiming the true identity of Simon Bar-Jonah. "Yes, and you, you are Pierre...and you are une pierre, a rock. In me and because of me, you will be solid, firm, and steadfast, a leader in building my church."

"You are the Christ." Tu es le Christ.
"And you, you are..." Et toi, tu es...

When we come to confess that Jesus is Lord, we too like Peter receive a new identity, our true identity in Him. He calls us by name, our new name, with a purpose and a place. A name lovingly given, chosen before the beginning of time. Abram becomes Abraham the father of many nations. Jacob becomes Israel the one who wrestled with God and prevailed. Simon becomes Peter a foundational rock in the start of the church. And you?

The old you has passed away, the new has come. As you confess Jesus is Lord, hear him say to you, "Yes, and you are..."

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 1 Cor 5:17

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

And we now bear his name, his family name, adopted as his secure, loved, and cherished children.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

"Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7-8

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world...In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace..." Eph 1:4-6

And like Peter, this new identity in the family of God is always meant for bringing him glory, unifying and edifying the body, and growing the church. After all, we have brothers and sisters in this new family.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8

And you, you are...