Sharing the Gift of Faith

Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

The violinist Joshua Bell is considered by some to be the greatest violinist alive today. He tours the world and sells out symphony halls and has made millions over the years. One day he decided to run an experiment. He took his $4 million violin and went incognito, playing at Washington DC’s metro station just like any ordinary street performer. People didn’t know his identity or realize that a world famous musician was performing right in front of them. Most walked right passed him. During the hour he played, only 7 people stopped to listen for any length of time. Those who listened and a few others who passed did drop change in his bucket for a grand total of $32. The experiment showed that people often don’t recognize what’s right in front of them. Whether most people were too distracted to notice, were rushing to get somewhere, or just didn’t appreciate violin music, the fact is that most people passed right by a world class musician not appreciating his talent or realizing his identity.

Recognizing the identity of someone special is the theme of today’s Gospel reading. In the text we just heard, Jesus asks the disciples what people were saying about him, who people were saying he is. They told him that some people thought he might be John the Baptist back from the dead, while were saying he was the reincarnation of Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked the disciples, not what others say about him, but “Who do you say that I am?” And to that Simon Peter makes a profound declaration: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!

To this Jesus responds by telling him that he is blessed, for he didn’t realize this through human reason or worldly wisdom but it was God that revealed this truth to him. And Jesus says that Simon will be called Peter, which is a nickname like Rocky, and on this rock the church of Jesus Christ will be built. Theologians debate whether it is on Peter himself the church is built or on Peter’s statement “You are the Messiah, Son of the living God.” Catholics who consider Peter the first pope feel one way, and Protestant theologians like Martin Luther feel strongly the other way. But that’s not a debate we’ll get too much into today.

What I really am drawn to today is the idea that we need God’s help to figure out who Jesus is—and that the gift of that realization inspires us to share that good news just like Peter did.

First, we see that it is a gift from God to understand that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, Son of the living God. Faith in Christ and the realization of spiritual truths are not something we can analyze our way to. It’s certainly a good thing to educate ourselves as best we can about important religious questions. It’s certainly a good thing to have spiritual curiosity, to wrestle with the mysteries of the universe, to ponder the meaning of life and wonder where it all came from and where it’s all going, to learn what science and philosophy and the best of human knowledge has to teach us about reality. But as we learn and grow in understanding we discover that realizing any genuine spiritual insight always feels much more like a gift that we’ve received more than a puzzle we’ve figured out ourselves. This leaves us with a sense of humble gratitude rather than a feeling of victory or accomplishment.

The Lutheran tradition is big on the fact that faith is a gift from God. Not something we can earn or work our way towards. Not something we can decide to have. Not something we can will ourselves to feel. Faith is a gift from God. The recognition of Jesus as Messiah is a gift from God. This leaves no place for spiritual pride or thinking we’ve done something or chosen something that sets us right with God. It’s all a gift. Just like Peter, who had this spiritual truth gifted to him by God, so too are we blessed with the faith that it is in us.

And the same is true for our spiritual growth. God is the source of any true growth, insight, or wisdom. It’s important to give ourselves the opportunity to grow in faith and to mature spiritually. It is also important to recognize that it’s not our go-getter mentality or spiritual ambition that gets us anything. God has blessed us spiritual curiosity and a desire to know God. God has given us the energy and motivation to pursue the spiritual journey. God has blessed us with circumstances that facilitate growth. Whether it’s the presence of faith in our hearts or any spiritual growth we have, it truly is all a gift from God.

Knowing that is humbling, and it should feel freeing; liberating! Because we don’t have to worry about doing it ourselves. We don’t have to stress over getting it right or analyzing our way to spiritual truth. Instead we get to experience life, not as a test we pass or fail, but as an adventure that we get to explore and experience and enjoy as we grow more fully into the divine image we’re created to be. We don’t have to fret or fear or put pressure on ourselves to have enough faith or be good enough or figure it all out. It’s all a gift of God’s grace.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we should sit back and do nothing. Understanding these things will shift our whole perspective on life. We’ll see this life as a divine adventure where we get to learn and explore and grow. Not a test we have to worry about failing. And when we make that liberating shift in perspective, when we realize the truth of Peter’s statement of Jesus as Messiah and good news of the Kingdom Jesus preached, we see that we get to be a part of telling the world about it just like Peter did. The Spirit fills us with faith and invites us to share it just like Peter did. To join Peter and the apostles in sharing the good news with the world.

Now the way to share our faith is not by forcing strangers to have awkward conversations or by shouting about hell and eternal damnation on an airplane like that woman in the news recently. Sharing your faith may be something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, but it should not done in a way that makes those listening feel uncomfortable or judged. The good news should always be inviting and welcoming and loving, not judgmental or fear-provoking. If it does that it’s not good news you’re sharing, is it? The way to genuinely share our faith is by telling people who’re important to you about something that’s important to you—your faith, your church, your relationship with God—in a gentle, inviting, welcoming way. It may still push you out of your comfort zone, but it should not be uncomfortable or obnoxious to the person listening. That’s because the faith we’ve received as a gift from God is not a message of fear and judgement but one of freedom and love, a message worthy of the name Good News!

With that in mind, let us all ask God to fill us with the faith and spiritual insight God gave to Peter and the apostles. To inspire and empower us to share that good news too. That might lead to a conversation with a friend or family member about why religion or spirituality matters to you. It might inspire meaningful conversation or the discovery of new things about each other. It might even lead you to inviting them to church. We have a great opportunity this year with the reopening of the sanctuary on Rally Day. Like I said during announcements, it’s a great excuse to invite someone to church! That’s one simple way we can follow Peter’s example in proclaiming the gospel message in our own small way.

And so let us invite the Holy Spirit to fill us with the gift of faith and insight, spiritual curiosity and wisdom. Let us trust that it is the Holy Spirit’s work to transform our hearts and minds. And let us follow the Spirit’s lead in sharing the faith that is in us. In a way that is genuine, life-giving, and liberating for all who hear it. In a way that embodies the gifts we have received through our words and our deeds. In a way that reveals the goodness and love of God, the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor Brian | August 23, 2026 | 13th Sunday after Pentecost