Suggested hymns: 179 Christ alone is our salvation 331 My hope is built on nothing less
Text: Gospel Lesson Matthew 16:13-20
A man left his family business to travel the countryside with a preacher and worker of miracles. After 3 years, the tide of public opinion turned, and this man's friend and leader was arrested. Even though he had said he was willing to go to prison or even death for his friend, when the pressure was on, he came unstuck. He publicly distanced himself from his friend, swearing that he didn't even know him.
Would you say this man was as solid as a rock? Would you choose him to be your friend?
Peter is the man who left all to follow Jesus. He declared his loyalty on the night Jesus was betrayed, you will remember, at the Last Supper. But it was that very night that he proved to be weak. A simple question from a servant girl showed how solid he really was.
Jesus knew Peter. He warned him of his impending failure. After Peter denied him, Luke records that Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter. Peter then remembered what Jesus had said, and fled in tears.
The name Peter means 'rock.' Someone called 'a rock' would surely be solid, reliable, and dependable. But Peter? How could Jesus call him this? He was pathetic! When times are tough, and everyone is deserting you, that's when you look for true friends. Anyone can be a fair-weather friend. Peter meant well, and no one would fault his commitment. But he failed at a time Jesus needed him. Already in the garden he went to sleep instead of staying alert and supporting Jesus as he struggled in prayer, crushed with the burden of a world's sin and evil. He went to sleep. How reliable is this man? Later, when the mob came to arrest Jesus, Peter resorted to violence, flashing a sword and wounding a man. Jesus rebuked him for that, and healed the wound. Later that evening, Peter's boldness and loyalty took second place as he tried to disguise the fact that he was a disciple of Jesus.
Jesus called him a rock, and said he would use him to build his church. Our Lord knew Peter. He knew each of his disciples, just as he knows each one of us. He knows our bold intentions. He knows the devotion of our hearts. He knows our failures. Jesus said he would use Peter to build his church. How reliable was he? At first, not very. Ephesians 4 describes how God uses each member of the church to support each other, and build up the body in love. How good are we, at showing love, and building each other up? Maybe we have to be honest, and say, 'not very.'
Jesus called Peter a rock. He calls us, 'saints.' The start of the letter to Ephesians says, "To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus." This is God's Word to all God's people.
How could Peter be called a rock, and be used by God to build his church? By grace. How can we be called saints, and be used by God to build his church? By grace. One of our hymns reminds us, "All depends on our possessing, God's abundant grace and blessing."
If it had been up to Peter himself, despite his leadership qualities and boldness, the Church would not have got off the ground. Jesus said, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church." He said, "I will build my church." Peter is not the builder, nor is he in charge. God is in charge, and he used Peter to build his church. How could this be? We've seen how unstable Peter was. He failed. More than once. Just as we do. But the church has been built, and continues to be built, by the Lord himself, through the power of His Word.
God had revealed himself to Peter, through the Words and actions of Christ. When asked, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" Jesus said to Peter, "God has blessed you. You know this truth because my Father in heaven has revealed it to you." This revelation made Peter sure about Jesus. It convinced Peter that Jesus was God's Messiah, chosen and sent into the world, to save people from sin, death, and the power of the devil. The revelation made Peter a rock. Not perfect in devotion or commitment or even spiritual knowledge, but strong in the faith that save us.
Later Peter wrote down in his first letter, chapter 2 verse 24:
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Jesus bore Peter's sins in his body on the cross. Peter had strayed from his Lord, but returned to the Shepherd and overseer of his soul. It was God's grace, that restored him, and kept him firm in faith to the end. God made Peter a rock. It wasn't Peter's doing. It happened by the power of the word. The same grace of God will make us solid in our faith. His Word declares who we are in Christ, and will make us rock solid, to the end.
Hear the Words of your God, and be strengthened as you hear what God has made us to be:
[note for layreaders - you need not read out the references]
"You are not slaves, but sons of God." (Galations 3 and 4)
"You are sheep of God's pasture." (Psalm 100:3)
"You are branches in the Vine, [which is Christ.]"(John 15)
"You are people who belong to God."(Romans 1:6)
"You are those who have passed from death to life." (John 5:24)
You are loved by God, and called to be saints." (Romans 1:7).
"You are holy and faithful" (Colossians 1:2).
You are my sons and daughters, called by my name, created for my glory. (Isaiah 43:6,7)
Others people may, or may not think we are solid and reliable. By God's grace we can become more dependable. But like Peter, our strength needs to come from God's Word, not from our devotion or commitment. May God's revelation grant us a faith that is rock solid, and use us, as he used Peter, to build His Church. Amen.
The peace of God which is beyond all human understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.