Jesus’ question to his disciples provides the entry point into this year’s theme. He asks his disciples who people say he is. They propose various answers that point back to important figures in the history of Israel. Jesus then draws the disciples in deeper, asking who they say he is. Peter responds that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus affirms this claim and notes that it was revealed by the Father.

Jesus is revealed by God to the disciples as the Messiah. God is the one responsible for people coming to know Jesus as the Lord of all and the Saviour of the world. We cannot determine the divine identity of Jesus and his work of salvation without God revealing it to us. The identity of Jesus is central to who we are his follower and this year we are inviting the youth to meditate on how God has revealed Jesus to us.

The revelation of Jesus to us by God, as a singular topic, is a vast ocean to swim in. Using the words of the Heidelberg Catechism gives us focus. We can look at the identity and work of Jesus through three lenses, which link richly to the Old Testament. Jesus is the prophet, the priest, and the king, which completes the work of salvation. These titles stem from his affirmation that he is the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed. The framing of the Catechism provides a topic for each of the three sessions (prophet, priest, and king).

What does this mean for our youth?

They share, by faith, in the anointing of Christ (HC 31). They are called to have a prophetic voice, for it is one of the gifts of God to his church (1 Cor 14:29-33, Eph 4:11-13). They are part of the priesthood of all believers, devoted to serving God and his kingdom (1 Pet 2:9). Finally, they are called to rule with Christ as co-heirs (Rom 8:17). As Christians, we are invited to be transformed by the work of the Spirit, so that we can participate in the work of reconciliation of all things (Col 1:20). It is a monumental task, but one that God is committed to accomplishing, given what he has already accomplished we can be confident that he will do it.

Matthew 16:13–17

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.