Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

Who do you say that I am? Jesus asks that question today. And Simon replies on behalf of all: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. So Simon's confession here isn't something he came up with on his own -- it was a miracle; the work of God in him. And everything rests on this confession; on Jesus' name. How surprised Simon must have been at Jesus' next words -- not the ones commending him, but expressing how powerful this name of Jesus is! That on this confession (not on miracles!) will the church be built, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. So what's in a name? A lot! When it's Jesus' name!