The profession of the apostles that Jesus was the Messiah is a central climax in the public ministry of Jesus.

In a moment of inspiration, at the question of Jesus, Peter declared him as the Messiah, “the Anointed One.” As Messiah he was to deliver us from our sins and to bring salvation to Israel.

After this profession of Peter, Jesus began to teach them that he was the Suffering Messiah, “that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and after three days rise again.”

Peter, loving the Lord, strongly protested. Even more strongly Jesus rebuked Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as people do.”

Perhaps we would have reacted as Peter did to the Lord’s prediction of his passion, death and resurrection. Like Peter we love the Lord and would not wish him to suffer and die.

Today Jesus asks all his followers the same question, “Who do you say I am?” What is our answer? Who is the Lord for me? How much do I know him? How much do I love him?

The more intimately we know the Lord, the more we could love him, the easier it would be to understand his plans and invitations for us and to align our choices and decisions to what he wishes for us.