Sermon (August 23) “The Ultimate Question” by Rev. Robert McDowell

August 23, 2026

Beulah UMC

      Someone went to a rabbi and asked him, “Why do you always answer a question by asking another question?  I just find that very annoying!”

     And the very wise rabbi answered, “What’s wrong with asking questions?”

     You would think that Jesus would have asked the disciples who they thought he was a lot sooner in his ministry.  We find this question in Matthew 16, well into Jesus' ministry with his disciples.

     Here, these twelve individuals left everything to follow him, and yet, this question presumes that they just might not have a grasp as to who he is.

     How can that be?

     There are a lot of different ways of answering who Jesus is.  Some folks would give you a long, drawn-out answer that will make you wish you never asked the question to begin with.

     “Who is Jesus?”  Well according to the Nicene creed, he is the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made and it goes on and on.

     And certainly, there is some validity to answering this question with theological language which explains how Jesus Christ can be fully God and yet fully human at the same time.  The early church spent many years reflecting on this ultimate question which is why we have these ancient creeds.

     But the disciples did not have the advantage of this kind of reflection.  They were always on the move with Jesus.  And they, along with so many other people, were astonished at his miracles and the way he was able to teach great crowds of people with authority.  They knew that Jesus was a very special person.

     And they also knew from their time spent with him, that he was the promised Messiah.  The promised one who would hopefully free Israel from Roman occupation.  They saw him as a miracle worker who would perhaps lead the people of Israel into the glory days of old.

     Here in chapter 16 of Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples are with Jesus in Caesarea Philippi, and Jesus actually asks the disciples two questions, not just one.  The first question he asks is -  “What are other people saying about me?”

     And they tell Jesus what they have been hearing.  “Some people think that you are John the Baptist. Others think that you are one of the prophets from of old.”

     There are an incredible number of opinions out there about Jesus.   It would be an interesting little project to go to some place where there are a lot of people and ask them the question, “Tell me who Jesus is to you?”

     But Jesus doesn’t want his disciples to settle for what other people are saying about him.  Jesus also wants to know what they are thinking.  And he asks them, “But who do you say that I am?”

     Actually, I’m a bit surprised that Peter was able to give the right answer.  Peter says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

     It’s one thing to give the answer.  It’s another thing to live the answer. To say that we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, means that we are to love our enemies.  It means that we are to forgive others when they hurt us. It means that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

     Jesus also said things like, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.  Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” Jesus was crucified on a cross for saying things like this. 

     And what about the time that Jesus said to “Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor” and if someone forces you to go one mile, go two.

     As the humorist, Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the things in the Bible that I don’t understand that bother me.  It’s the things that I do understand that bother me the most.” Sometimes, I wish that Jesus was more mysterious or cryptic in his teachings.  

     Almost every Sunday that I worship with you in this place, I hear something in the scripture reading that reminds me that I have so much more to learn about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.

     I suppose that we could simply ignore all of these hard sayings and just focus on whatever is appealing to us at the time.  We certainly have the option of forming Jesus into our own image and many people do.

     There are people who associate Jesus with their political party or within their particular worldview. But that’s not the way of Jesus.  “Narrow is the way into my Father’s kingdom,” Jesus tells us.

     No.  We are left with Jesus’ troubling question.  “Who do you say that I am?”

     I much prefer the Nicene Creed response to that question.  The theology is orthodox and it really says it all.

     Except…it’s not in my own words.  Jesus says to Robert McDowell – “I know what the Nicene Creed says…but who do you say that I am?”

     Well first and foremost, for me, he is everything that I want to be and strive to be. Someone who loves God and their neighbor with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Someone who embodies what the Apostle Paul referred to as the “fruit of the spirit” which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

     When I think of who Jesus is, this is what comes to mind especially during those days when I’m irritated with the slow traffic, or treated unfairly by someone, or feeling misunderstood, or I’m just too lazy to make a little extra effort to brighten someone’s day. It’s these moments that remind me who Jesus is.

     Whenever I read the Gospels and reflect on how Jesus treated people through his teachings, his healings, and the situations he faced during his ministry, it always points me to the kind of human being God wants me to be and the kind of human being we are all called to be.

     This understanding of who Jesus leads me to this 2nd understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is not only my example. He is also my Savior. His death on the cross absorbed all of the pain and brokenness of this world so that we can be made whole again.

     I love the phrase that we say every time we receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”

     Jesus isn’t just my example. He’s my Savior. That’s who Jesus is to me.

     I’m still learning and discovering who Jesus is though. Every day and every year and every new situation provides another opportunity for us to put Jesus first in our lives and place our trust in him. When we do that on a consistent basis, Jesus becomes more than just a warm fuzzy in our lives. Jesus becomes real. Our faith becomes real.

     I’m always interested in hearing how people view Jesus and what Jesus means to them. Hear are some responses that people have shared with me over the years which I have written down and now share with you.

     Someone said to me, “Jesus is the calm, eternal center of life. I go to him in times of distress to find peace. I pray to him to restore balance. I ask him to give me clarity in the times of confusion. He is the anchor and the seabed in the tempest-tossed waters. He blesses me again and again.”

     Someone shared said that Jesus is like a compass through life. I like that. That shows a willingness to allow Jesus to guide and direct us through our faith journey.

     Another said that Jesus is like a rock, a sword, and a shield. For this person, Jesus provides safety and security.

     I like how someone referred to Jesus as a lighthouse. We need that lighthouse because we are the ship that is in need of direction and a safe harbor.

     A new church member mentioned that it’s because of Jesus that he lives each day with courage. He said that he is not fearful of the future because he knows that he will live with Jesus forever. And his  desire is for people to see Jesus in everything he does.

     Another person said that Jesus is her constant companion.

     This person says something similar. “Jesus is my friend who I talk to in the middle of the night, who always forgives me, guides me, loves me, and so much more.”

     Another person puts it this way: “Jesus is as ever present as the air I breathe and always patiently waits for me to discover his love.”

     I like how someone shared that when he was a child, he felt that Jesus was his heavenly Brother since God was his heavenly Father. As an adult, he sees Jesus as his Savior and the light showing the way on the pathway to God’s kingdom of love and forgiveness.

     Somebody else shared that when he was thirteen years old, he became aware that Jesus was her Savior. As an adult, he has found Jesus to be his healer as he has helped him to survive a massive stroke. This person thanks him everyday for saving his life so that he can continue to be a witness for him.

     Those are some of the responses I received from many different people when asked the big question, “Who do you say that Jesus is?”

     Gregory Nazianzen was one of the early church fathers from the fourth century. He was baptized at the age of 30 and became a Christian.  He also went on to become a great theologian.

          Here’s how he answered the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” He wrote:

·     He began his ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life

·     Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water

·     Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest

·     Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King

·     Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons

·     Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears

·     Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world

·     Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd

·     Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death

     When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” 

     Later, Peter will be asked this same question in a slightly different way as he warms himself by a fire in a courtyard and with his life hanging in the balance.  “You’re one of Jesus’ disciples, aren’t you?”

     And then while standing on a sandy beach, the resurrected Christ appears to Peter and he asks him not once, not twice, but three times in a row, “Peter – do you love me?” And each time, Peter answers, “Yes, Lord you know that I love you.”

     Evidently, this ultimate question is too important to ask only once. It needs to be asked again and again and again and again.

     Who do you say that Jesus is?

Sunday (August 23) Pastoral Prayer

August 23, 2026

Beulah UMC

Fairest Lord Jesus, thank you for today’s Gospel reading that invites us to reflect on who you are. In these next moments of silence, we pause to silently express to you who we believe you to be. [MOMENTS OF SILENCE]

Even as we express to you our thoughts of who you are, remind us to reflect on this ultimate question again and again and again. Help us to grow in our understanding of who you are especially as we face times of transition, challenges, and new experiences in our lives. And thank you that we can learn from each other and grow in our faith together.

 

Whenever we pray for others who are in need of healing, comfort, and guidance, this must mean that we believe you to be loving, compassionate, and gracious. And so, we lift up to you the people on our church’s prayer list as well as others who are on our hearts and minds today. We lift all of these persons and needs to you because you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

 

We also pray that you would help to become more aware of opportunities where you may be calling us to share with others what you mean to us like how in how you guided us through a difficult decision, felt your comfort during a time of grief, experienced your peace when facing a time of uncertainty, and received your mercy and grace after feeling paralyzed by guilt and fear.

 

Thank you for giving each of us a story to share with others of what you mean to us. And now, with confidence as your children, as your followers, and as your disciples, we join together in praying the words that you taught us to say together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (August 16) “A Psummer of Psalms - Psalm 23” by Rev. Robert McDowell

August 16, 2026

Beulah UMC

     Don’t tell anyone, but I’m sneaking Psalm 23 into our Psummer of Psalms series. This is actually not the designated Psalm reading for this Sunday of the year but today seemed like the best day to include it.

     Psalm 23 is the appointed Psalm reading during the spring on what is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” On that Sunday, Psalm 23 is paired with the Gospel reading for that day which is where Jesus says that he is the good shepherd who cares for his sheep.

     I just had to include this psalm during this series because it is a favorite psalm for many of us. We have often seen this psalm as a peaceful psalm with its image of still waters and green pastures, but it’s actually more of a psalm about protection and security. The psalmist is writing this psalm with danger close at hand.

     We can divide the psalm into two main sections. And by the way, this is a very short psalm, just six verses long.

     The first section, verses one through three, give us the beautiful image of the Lord as our shepherd. The psalmist tells us that this shepherd is able to lead us, restore us and provide for us even in the darkest situations we face in life because he is never far away.

     Notice how the psalmist shifts from facing the threat of the valley of the shadow of death, also translated as “darkest valleys” to a more positive image of a banquet! That shift happens in verse five. “You prepare a table before me.”

     And by the way, it’s so hard for me to not say this phrase the way the King James Version beautifully states. “Thou preparest a table before me.”

 

     This psalm which begins with the image of a shepherd and a pasture moves into a different image of being in a house that includes a banquet. It’s like the psalmist is saying, “Yes, God is present with us when we are out in the open space of green pastures, but our truest security is when we are in God’s house for worship.” This is the place of ultimate security for this psalmist.

     The phrase, “there’s no place like home,” is not only true with where we live, but also other sacred places like a church setting on Sunday morning. Over the course of my 40 years of pastoral ministry, I have had the privilege to be part of several churches, each with their own unique architectural designs like this sanctuary with the vibrant stained glass windows that follow the life of Jesus starting with his baptism all the way to his ascension into heaven.

     Just walking into a chapel or a sanctuary can remind us that the Lord, our Shepherd provides more than enough holy space for us to feel a sense of peace and security.

     Another aspect of this psalm that I find interesting is that this image of the Lord as our shepherd is actually a frequent image throughout the psalms. I counted at least seven other psalms that describe God as our shepherd.

     Psalm 28 says, “O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

     Psalm 77 says, “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

     Psalm 78 says, “Then he led out his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.”

     Psalm 79 says, “Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever.”

     Psalm 80 says, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!”

 

     Psalm 95 says, “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.”

     Psalm 100 says, “Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

     Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord, our shepherd will provide for all our needs, will give us rest when we get tired, and will guide and protect us along our journey in life. I love how the psalmist also emphasizes that the Lord, our shepherd is also our gracious host by preparing a feast for us that includes an overflowing cup.

     This is an image that reminds us of God’s amazing grace. God’s grace is overflowing and abundant, like a great banquet spread of plenty of food and drink. We have more than we can possibly need because the Lord is our shepherd.

     The other powerful part of this psalm is in how it concludes. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”

     The thought here is that the enemies and the threat of danger that are pursuing the psalmist, are no longer a cause for fear because of God’s protection and overflowing blessings. And I love the very creative way the psalm concludes by saying that instead of enemies following him, the psalmist can look back and instead see “goodness and mercy” chasing after him.

     I had an Old Testament professor tell us in seminary that a better phrase than “goodness and mercy shall follow” would be the phrase, “goodness and mercy shall CHASE me.”

     What a powerful theological thought from this Psalmist. God’s goodness and mercy is chasing us down. This idea of God’s goodness and mercy chasing after us is at the center of John Wesley’s understanding of grace. It offers us the comforting thought that in any given moment, God’s grace is being extended to each and every one of us.

     Even when we have no thought of God, God is still reaching out to us and pursuing us with goodness and mercy. And all we need to do is to be open to receive God’s grace. And this grace never runs out. Our cup is always overflowing. God is always chasing after us.

     And when the Psalmist talks about our enemies, sometimes those enemies are invisible like fear of the future and things from our past that still haunt us. Our invisible enemy might be our own self-doubts and unnecessary worry that keeps us awake at night.

     Whether our enemies are visible or invisible, the good news that the psalmist wants us to know is that as we face these enemies, take heart. The Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want.

     About 16 years ago at a church I was serving, I officiated for the funeral of an elderly church member. She didn’t have a lot of surviving family members, but her brother who lived in South Carolina drove to Ohio and met me at the church to help me prepare for his sister’s funeral.

     He was really nice and told me a lot about his sister. And then I asked him if there was any particular scripture that he wanted me to read during the service. And he said to me, “Yes, my favorite scripture is Psalm 23. I’d like you to read that during the service. It has special meaning for me.”

     And so, I asked him what he liked about this psalm, and he told me the most amazing story.

     He said that he was in his hotel room in Philadelphia many, many years ago. He said that he couldn’t get to sleep because he was feeling very nervous and anxious that night. He said that he opened the nightstand drawer in his hotel room and found a bible. He opened it to Psalm 23 and after he read it, it really helped him to feel at peace, and he was able to get to get a full night of sleep. When he woke up, he felt a renewed sense of energy and a tremendous sense of peace about the day ahead.

     But he wasn’t done with his story. He said that the reason he was nervous was because he was the starting pitcher for a baseball game the next day. And he said that he ended up pitching one of his best games he ever pitched. He said that they beat the Philadelphia Phillies and he was able to strike out Richie Ashburn to help win the game.

     And it was at that point when I said, “Excuse me? What did you say? Are you telling me that you were a major league pitcher?”

    To make a long story short, I discovered that I was talking to Jim Waugh who was a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1950’s. He grew up in Lancaster, Ohio where I was serving as pastor. And he told me that he had the record for being the youngest pitcher to win a game for the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was just 18 years old.  Joe Garagiola was the catcher for that game.

     And he said that’s why Psalm 23 has so much meaning for him. It helped him to know that the Lord was his shepherd, and he didn’t have anything to fear.

     Just one month after that funeral for his sister, I read the sad news that Jim also passed away here at his home in South Carolina. The local newspaper up in Ohio had a really nice article about his life and career. While the article focused on his life as a Major League Baseball player, I will remember him more as someone who learned to trust in the Lord as his shepherd, and who came across this psalm one night in his hotel room many years ago.

     This psalm reminds us that enemies, both visible and invisible may chase after us, but they are no match for God’s goodness and mercy that pursue us all the days of our lives. We can always find our security in the Lord who is our shepherd. He is the one who leads us to green pastures, still waters, and a banquet table filled with all that we need.  

     When you are feeling the anxiety from all the negative news that comes at us every single day, remember that the Lord is your shepherd. When you are anxious about what the future may hold, remember that the Lord is your shepherd. When you find yourself all alone in a hotel room and you just can’t get to sleep, remember that the Lord is your shepherd. When worries over things that are beyond our control continue to cause fear and uncertainty, remember that the Lord is your shepherd.

     When one of my uncles died several years ago, my family asked me to read this Psalm during the funeral service which was held in northern Maryland near where he lived. My uncle was a farmer all his life and that small country church was packed with other farmers and their families. I began reading this Psalm like I usually do, using the King James Version which is the common way this psalm is read and the way most of us have learned it.

     And so, I started reading it, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”

     And I just stopped reading it after that first line because I realized in that moment that Uncle Bill’s whole life was about spending time in green pastures on his farm. I think people were wondering if I was OK because I just stood there for a few moments thinking about that line from Uncle Bill’s perspective.

     I say this because maybe we need to take our time whenever we read this short psalm. Even if we know it by heart, read it like you are reading, or I should say, praying it for the very first time.

     And as you pray this psalm and savor each verse, may God’s goodness and mercy chase after you all the days of your life and may you dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.