In today’s gospel reading, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do others say that the Son of Man is?” He then directly asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” When Peter makes a statement of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, Jesus then says he will build his church on this very statement of faith. Jesus says that the gates of death and hell shall not prevail against God’s church and his people. Look to the cross and hear the question, “Who do you say that I am?” And in today's service, 12 of our young people will join us at the Lord's table for the first time. [Pentecost 13]