Monday 30 June 2014

Background

The event in today's passage marks a watershed in thediscipleship of Simon son of Jonah, and of the whole mission ofJesus. For here, in the final part of Jesus' time with hisdisciples before he heads off to Jerusalem, he is able to assessexactly how well Simon has understood who he is. Having preparedhis disciples for their ongoing task which Jesus knows they willhave after he is gone, he appoints Simon as a leader for them. Andin doing so, he gives Simon a new name: 'Rock'. (The Greek word forrock, 'petros', gives us the name Peter.)

This passage is called the 'confession' of Peter - in otherwords, Peter is asked to say what he really thinks about Jesus.What is he secretly thinking?

Peter tells Jesus that others think Jesus is a prophet come backto life. Some - including King Herod (see Matthew 14:1-2) - thought he might be John theBaptist. (Clearly they had not been present at Jesus' Baptism byJohn (Matthew 3:13-17)!) Others expected Elijah - thelast words of the Old Testament promise that he would come again(Malachi 4:5-6). Or even Jeremiah - who hadappeared in a dream to strengthen Judas Maccabeus in his fight forGod's kingdom (2 Maccabees 15:13-16).

But Peter has been inspired by God to see Jesus as far more thana mere resurrected prophet. Jesus is none other than the Messiah,the Son of God. And death itself ("the gates of Hades") cannotchallenge this faith.

So Jesus gives Simon Peter the authority he needs to lead theChurch-community of the kingdom of heaven: 'binding' and 'loosing'is related to church membership (Matthew 18:15-20). The key was the symbol ofthe office of the Master of the Royal Palace - what he opens no onewill close, and what he closes no one will open (Isaiah22:20-22).

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St Peter who was aninspiration in faith - in order that what he began with Christ'sauthority at Caesarea Philippi may be continued today. 

To Ponder

• Who do you say Jesus is?

• The commission of Peter in verse 18 is one of the mostdiscussed verses in Matthew's Gospel. What does it mean toyou?

• Can people have faith in Jesus as the Son of God only if Godreveals this to them? Why or why not?