Wandering Heart: Discovering Our Identity Through Peter's Confession

In our ongoing sermon series "Wandering Heart," we dive into the lives and lessons of biblical figures whose journeys of faith continue to inspire and instruct us today. This week, we turn our attention to Peter, a disciple whose journey reflects our own in many ways—filled with moments of profound faith and human faltering.

Our Scripture focus, Matthew 16:13-20, places us at a pivotal moment in Peter's life and in the narrative of the New Testament. Here, Jesus poses a question to His disciples, one that echoes through the ages to each of us: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's response, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," marks a moment of revelation, recognition, and the rock upon which our faith is built.

The Question of Identity

Jesus' question to His disciples is not merely rhetorical. It invites a moment of introspection and declaration. In our journey of faith, like Peter, we are often faced with this question in various forms. It challenges us to consider our understanding of Jesus, not just in the abstract, but in a deeply personal sense. Who is Jesus to us, in our daily lives, in our struggles, and in our joys?

Peter's Confession and Our Faith

Peter's confession is a testament to the revealing work of God in our hearts. It reminds us that our recognition of Jesus as the Messiah is not simply an intellectual acknowledgment but a revelation from the Father. This confession is the bedrock of our faith and the church itself. It invites us to consider the strength and foundation of our own faith. Are we building our lives upon this solid rock, or are we still searching for our footing?

A Call to Reflection

As we ponder Peter's response and its implications for our faith, let us also consider our own answer to Jesus' question. This week, I invite you to reflect on your personal confession of who Jesus is. How does this recognition shape your life, your decisions, and your relationship with God and others?

A Special E-Reader Devotional from Sanctified Art

We're blessed to have a special e-reader version of this year’s Lent devotional, courtesy of our friends at A Sanctified Art. We will also have printed versions available at church for your convenience. You can access it by sending me an email and I’ll send you the link DJ@revdj.com. Please remember, to honor and protect their creative work, refrain from sharing this link on social media or forwarding it outside our church community.

As we continue our journey through the "Wandering Heart" series, let's keep our hearts and minds open to the lessons of faith, identity, and discipleship that the Lord reveals to us through the lives of His disciples. Peter's story is our story—a journey of faith, faltering, and finding our foundation in Christ.

Beyond the Sermon

UMCOR Giving Sunday (March 10th): Mark your calendars for a special day of giving. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) provides humanitarian relief and disaster response in the United States and internationally. Let's come together to support this vital ministry. Every contribution makes a difference.

UMCOR Sunday, March 10th (a note from our friends at the United Methodist Committee on Relief)

Every year, the world experiences devastating hurricanes, storms, wars, and other crises. As these events unfold and the number of those in need of help increases, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is there to help. UMCOR, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe.  Working in more than 80 countries worldwide, UMCOR provides survivors with temporary relief and long-term education, training and support. UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated gifts on the projects that donors specify.  None of these designated gifts support administrative or operating costs.

How then are UMCOR’s administrative costs covered?

Every year on the fourth Sunday in Lent, we celebrate UMCOR Sunday, a day when individual and local church gifts are received to support UMCOR’s administrative costs.

Here’s a video to learn more about UMCOR Sunday.

Upcoming Membership Class

Are you considering joining our church family? If you're looking for a community where you can grow spiritually, engage in meaningful study, and connect with others, our upcoming membership class is the perfect opportunity. Join us on April 7th, following our service, to learn more about what it means to be a part of our church. To register your interest or for more information, please email office@fwumc.org.

New Church Board Leadership

Last year, we introduced a single board governance structure, with members elected by our church community. This board plays a crucial role in guiding the mission, vision, and purpose of our church, overseeing crucial areas like finance, human resources, and trusteeship. In upcoming issues, we will be highlighting individual members of the Church Board to help you get to know the people serving our church in these important roles. Should you have any questions or thoughts for our Church Board, feel free to reach out at ChurchBoard@fwumc.org.

Here is an artist statement from our friends at Sanctified Art…

Who Do You Say

That I Am?

by Lauren Wright Pittman Inspired by Matthew 16:13-20 Digital painting

I don’t know if this was a moment of clarity for Peter, if he was regurgitating the answer he thought Jesus wanted to hear, or if he was trying to convince himself that dropping everything and following this man was worth it, but I imagine this was a breakthrough for Peter.

I wanted to capture this as a moment of seeing and being seen. Jesus sees him as more than Simon, a fisherman and son of Jonah, and renames him Peter, the blessed foundation through which his ministry would take root and continue to grow. Jesus sees Peter through the eyes of God.

Peter sees Jesus as more than a teacher and companion. He sees through the veil of confusion concerning Jesus’ identity. He doesn’t see him as the reincarnation of a former prophet, or another contemporary baptizer pointing the way. He names Jesus as the “anointed one,” the one his people have so desperately longed for. Peter proclaims Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God.

In this image, I wanted to create a kaleidoscope of perception, imaging the ways Jesus is perceived in the context of this passage, like light broken down into a myriad of shapes and colors. In the gold rays of light Jesus’ form is obscured by the metallic shine of God’s glory. In the gray and earth-tone rays he is seen in monochrome. Each of the earth-tone rays holds a pattern on Jesus’ clothing which represents a misunderstanding of who Jesus is. Starting on the left, honey, locusts, and baptismal waters misidentify him as John the Baptist. Within the next ray to the right, ravens, an empty chair, rain, and fires from the heavens misidentify him as Elijah. On the right, scales of justice and plants being uprooted and planted misidentify him as Jeremiah.

Through the middle of the image, there is a ray of light where the image comes into full color that holds this moment of clarity where Jesus and Peter truly see one another. In this ray, Peter’s clothing holds symbols of his new identity: a rock upon which the church will be built and keys to the kingdom. Jesus’ clothing holds imagery—an oil jar and the light of the sun— representing the way Peter sees him as the Messiah and Son of the living God.

—Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman

Abundant Grace Free Market
Saturday, April 13th 9 am - 12 pm

Reserve a table or sign up to volunteer in the Gathering Place or send an email to abundantgracefree@gmail.com.

Volunteer opportunities: Hospitality table(outside), front or back door monitor, parking lot attendant, inside traffic control, shoe store attendant, provide cookies or muffins for hospitality table.

Please share this information with friends and family and invite them to reserve a table or volunteer. Let's give everyone the opportunity to feel the joy of sharing our abundance with our neighbors!