Life can be
pretty routine. Some of us may say that
life is even boring. Perhaps you find
yourself wanting something interesting, something different, something
unexpected to happen. Indeed, variety is
the spice of life. However, when we find
things to be routine and want a change, we still want to have that change be on
our terms and at a time that is convenient for us. Just think of the way a sudden crisis can
make life tough. And we’ve probably all
had times when it seems like life is traveling from one crisis to the next.
Sometimes I wonder what life was like
for Jesus disciples. While we may get
the idea that these guys are on the road each and every day and traveling far
and wide, we need to remind ourselves of the truth. With the exception of Jesus journey to
Jerusalem at the Passover, which would lead to his crucifixion, Jesus really
didn’t travel much. Most of his ministry
took place around the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding towns. The Sea of Galilee is small – roughly 8 miles
by 15 miles. If having a body of water
in the middle helps to give you perspective, think Canandaigua Lake. Jesus’ travels would then be to places like
Canandaigua, Naples, Gorham, Bristol, Middlesex, and Cheshire.
And that’s about it. Almost all of his earthly public ministry
within an area not even half the size of Ontario County. I’m certain that Jesus’ disciples went back
to their own homes most nights. They
almost certainly kept their trades and jobs in order to help support
themselves.
Sometimes the Bible would make it seem
like every day is a day of adventure and miracles. But probably not. If every miracle recorded in the gospels is
historically accurate, then if you spread them over a two-year period you
realize that even miracles weren’t a daily thing.
Keep this small scale ministry, and
mostly very routine in your mind as we look at the chapter we read from
Matthew’s gospel. While Jesus is
certainly the star of the story, these chapters give Peter quite a bit of stage
time.
We start off with Jesus traveling to
Caesarea Philippi. That’s a significant
journey. It’s a departure from the
norm. This is one of Jesus’ longest
trips – 20 miles from the Sea of Galilee.
He has taken his disciples out of the routine to begin preparing for the
end.
And with the regular crowds not
gathered around it’s time for some serious discussions with his disciples. He asks them, “Who do people say that the Son
of Man is?” You know their answers: John
the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. The crowds know there is something special
about this Jesus fellow – something that is setting him apart. He’s one whom God is speaking significant
things through.
And when Jesus asks, “But who do you
say that I am?” Simon Peter gets a
moment to shine, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Let’s pause there for a moment. Remember, this word “messiah” is a word we
Christians usually use only to refer to Jesus.
But the word “messiah” was used many times by Jews of the time. Messiah is a Hebrew word. It is the equivalent of the Greek word
Christ. It simply means, “anointed
one.” Many people are considered
messiahs in the Old Testament. Some of
them were good. Some were not. King David was considered a messiah; as was
King Saul. Cyrus, the Persian ruler,
wasn’t even Jewish and the prophet Isaiah calls him a messiah.
There was nothing special about
calling Jesus messiah. That’s no great
insight on Peter’s part. It just means
Jesus has been anointed for a role. What
is special about Peter’s reply is calling Jesus the Son of the living God. This is the major revelation. This is what we have talked about before when
we’ve talked about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Peter is recognizing Jesus as being God’s
presence and bringing God’s teachings and God’s reality to the earth.
Jesus proclamation that, “For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven,” is a
statement meaning that human logic and reason have not reached this
conclusion. Like all of faith, it is
something inspired by God.
We want to cheer Peter for his
insight. Indeed he is flying high! And don’t we want to do the same – know that
we’re on to something good – really good!
It feels great. What’s even
better is when one good thing leads to another.
And that ‘another’ is even greater.
Sort of the way learning math builds concept upon concept into greater
and greater power.
Jesus proclaims that the community of
faith, the church, is to be built – dare I say it – not so much upon Peter as a
man, but upon the revelation of God through people. And that community is even stronger than
death.
But the teaching isn’t done. Jesus tells the disciples not to share that
he is the Messiah, for they’ll need to see the Messiah crucified before they
can really understand what this anointed one will do.
Jesus goes on to teach this. But is Peter, fresh from his revelation of
the identity of Jesus as the Son of the living God, able to understand
that? Nope. All too quickly human thinking has come back
into the picture. Peter rebukes Jesus
for saying that he will be rejected and killed by the religious leaders. Peter treats Jesus as if Jesus is possessed
by a demon. It’s exorcism language that
Peter uses. And Jesus responds with
similar exorcism language, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block,” or more literally
a “scandal”, “to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on
human things.”
There’s an entire sermon right there,
the difficult truth that the human point of view and Satan’s point of view are
identical! But we’re going to keep
moving.
The teachings continue from
Jesus. Six days later he takes just
three of the disciples – Peter, James, and John – up on a high mountain by
themselves. Moses and Elijah appear talking
with Jesus. Peter, somewhere between his
revelation of Jesus as the Son of the living God and being called Satan,
decides to brave another insight.
And notice carefully the text here,
because it’s written in a humorous way.
Matthew says Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus. While they are talking, in other words Peter
interrupts them, and says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here…” And then jump another verse, “While he was
still speaking, suddenly bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a
voice said…
In other words, Peter interrupts
Jesus. Then the voice from the cloud
interrupts Peter. Everyone is
talking. But who is listening? What does the voice say to interrupting
Peter? Listen carefully because it is
part of what Peter said earlier, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am
well pleased…” and maybe especially to
Peter, “…listen to him!”
In other words, Peter – “Sit down,
shut up, and listen!”
Listen.
Listen to what Jesus has yet to teach.
Peter, and all others, keep open to what
God is doing; keep open to what the Son of the living God will do to reveal
God’s nature most fully.
It is not time to talk. The time to talk will come. In fact Jesus will tell his disciples very
clearly when it is time to talk. It is
the very last verse of Matthew’s gospel.
Jesus as he is ascending says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded
you.”
The time to talk comes only after the
disciples have all failed Jesus and fled.
The time to talk comes only after they have seen the crucifixion. The crucifixion is the central act of God’s
revelation of his nature. It is,
ironically, fullness of life. Then the
disciples can talk and teach and evangelize and baptize. Not before.
It is all very hard to grasp. Peter certainly struggled with it. We do too.
But remember, the human point of view is Satan’s point of view. Tempting as it is, it will lead nowhere
except frustration and disappointment, brokenness and emptiness. Fullness of life comes from staying with
God’s point of view. In our gospel
reading right after rebuking Peter Jesus said, “If any want to become my
followers let them deny themselves [deny the human/Satanic point of view – this
is not about self-hate or self-punishment] and take up their cross and follow
me.” Notice how he goes on, “For those
who want to save their life [the human point of view] will lose it, and those
who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
Tough words but wise words. True words.
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