Messiah, at best. But Peter, on behalf of the other disciples, confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.” On this bedrock confession, the entire church of God is built. We who are built upon
Christ has overcome the dark powers of death. Jesus gave all Christians the authority to proclaim
freedom to penitent sinners. Likewise, Christ’s voice is heard through us when we withhold forgiveness
from those who proudly insist on their life of sin.