Simon Peter was good at multiple choice questions.  Who do people say I am?  A) Elijah, B) Moses C) one of the prophets D) Something else?  Simon not only chose “D” but filled in the blank – Messiah.    He must have been pretty smug, having just aced the pop quiz Jesus gave he and his disciples, getting an A+ on his answer about who is Jesus was.  Unfortunately for him, Jesus added an essay question to the test, and Simon blew it.  When Jesus begins to show them that the messiah must suffer, Simon responds: “God forbid that any such thing happen to you, Master.” Jesus, stern teacher that he is, gives him an “F” on his essay response.  “Get behind me Satan”, comes the rebuke. “You are not thinking like God is thinking.”  Messiah = anointed one = suffering one = sacrificial love = deny self = take up cross - those were the words Jesus was hoping to see in the essay question, and they were no where to be found.  “God forbid”, says Simon. “Wrong answer”, says Jesus.  

Are we so different?  A popular messiah is pretty attractive.  One who does not demand much of me – I can go for that.  Jesus as a conquering hero is a very attractive option.  And I have to admit, I am like Simon in wanting to make Jesus in my image.  One who is not demanding of us.  Jesus the nice guy.  Jesus the one who holds our hands.  Jesus the support in trials.  Jesus who forgives even when I show no signs of repentance.  And though he is all that, today’s gospel tells us that he is something more.   

If you really want to understand who I am and what I want to be for you and what God wants for you, then you are going to have to enter the world of self-denial and suffering!  Those words don’t sell too well in our culture, do they?  Though I only followed a bit of the democratic convention and will probably only follow a bit of the republican convention as well, my guess is that neither party will use those words in their speeches.  The closest they’ll get is “There is much work to be done.”  They may even use the sacrifice word.  But suffering?  Taking up your cross?  Losing your life for the sake of the country?  GOD FORBID that any such words be spoken.  They are not easy words to hear, then or now.   

But in the end, it is the only path that leads to the redemption of the world and the only path that leads each of us finally to find the true meaning and purpose of our lives.  For in the end, the joy and meaning of life is not to be found in what we accumulate, but in what we can give away.  Those who would save their lives must lose them.  Those who wish to follow after Jesus must deny themselves, and take up his cross.  THAT is what he begins to show them after Peter’s profession.  And his rebuke: “Get behind me” –is also the same word he uses to say: “Follow me” in Matthew’s gospel.  Get behind me, Peter.  Walk in my steps and then you’ll learn.  Then you’ll know.   

This week, you and I are given a chance to live into this difficult saying of Jesus.  Sometimes it will be in the form of an essay.  People will ask us, say, in the political arena – which candidate are you leaning toward?  Rather than give the name of the person, you now have an opportunity to give a little essay about one who might best support the life issues, or the justice issues or the church’s stance on immigration issues.  Other times it will be a simple true/false kind of moment – take this candy bar or not?  View this web site or not?   
Say a harsh word about my neighbor or not?  Sometimes it may come as a fill in the blank moment.  Not so much with words, but suddenly we have an extra half hour of time – what will you fill it with?  Your favorite computer diversion?  Time for prayer?  Visiting the neighbor who is out in the yard?  How will you fill in the blank? 

   May we learn, as Simon Peter had to learn – that it is not the easy answers that most often will be right.  Rather, it will always be the answers having to do with sacrificial love, losing our lives, giving our time away that will get us to the life that God has in store for us.  And that is what we learn each time we approach this altar – a self emptying, sacrificial love that gave up everything for you and me.