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"Peter’s bold statement of faith"
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
Matthew 16:13 When Yeshua came into the territory around Caesarea Philippi, he asked his talmidim, “Who are people saying the Son of Man is?” 14 They said, “Well, some say Yochanan the Immerser, others Eliyahu, still others Yirmeyahu or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he said to them, “who do you say I am?” 16 Shim‘on Kefa answered, “You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God.” 17 “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan,” Yeshua said to him, “how blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven. 18 I also tell you this: you are Kefa,” [which means ‘Rock,’] “and on this rock I will build my Community, and the gates of Sh’ol will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 20 Then he warned the talmidim not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
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People had many opinions about Jesus. The disciples’ answer to his question (“Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets”) was an effort to be “positive.” They knew that some hated Jesus and bitterly opposed his message. Though his faith might be costly, Peter boldly said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Remember: “Christ” was not Jesus’ last name, but the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah.”)
• To identify Jesus as “John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets” was no insult. Those were great, respected names. Yet they fell short of what Peter, speaking for the disciples, saw in Jesus. To what extent can you join Peter in declaring that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”? What factors shape what you believe about Jesus?
• Protestants and Roman Catholics have long debated whether the “rock” on which Jesus built his church was Peter the person, or Peter’s faith in Jesus as Messiah. Scholar A. F. Walls wrote, “Even if it could be shown that Roman bishops are in any meaningful sense the successors of Peter (which it cannot), the passage does not allow for the transfer of its provisions to any successors whatever. It refers to the foundation of the church, which cannot be repeated.” * In what ways are you (and all Christians) Peter’s successors? In what ways was his role unique and foundational?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, today you ask me, “Who do you say that I am?” Give me Peter’s conviction and courage to say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Amen.
* A. F. Walls, “Peter” in The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, J. D. Douglas and D. R. W. Wood, ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996, p. 907.
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Dr. Amy Oden
Dr. Amy Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU. Teaching is her calling, and she looks forward to every day with students. Her latest book (Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, Abingdon Press, 2017) traces ancient mindfulness practice for Christians today.
“Who do you say that I am?” Among all the questions Jesus asks in the gospels, this one may be the most intimidating for a lot of us. It can feel like a test, like there’s a right answer and we better get it right.
For sure it’s an important question about Jesus to ask ourselves-–“Who do I say Jesus is?” Is Jesus Lord of my whole life? Or just the Lord of Sunday mornings? Your answer to that question has probably changed over time. Your answer when you were 16 years old is likely to be different than at 46.
But notice that in this passage (Matthew 16:13-20) Jesus also tells Peter who Peter is--the rock. So maybe it’s important to turn the question around and ask Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” Then just listen to what he says. Who does Jesus say that you are? Let Jesus name you, you in particular, in the way only Jesus can say who you truly are.
Pause today to sit with Jesus. Hear him ask you, “Who do you say that I am?” Answer honestly, even if your answer is “I don’t know.” Then ask him, “Jesus, who do you say that I am?” Listen inwardly to his words to you today. Be in conversation with Jesus and see what happens!
Dr. Amy OdenDr. Amy Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU. Teaching is her calling, and she looks forward to every day with students. Her latest book (Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, Abingdon Press, 2017) traces ancient mindfulness practice for Christians today.
“Who do you say that I am?” Among all the questions Jesus asks in the gospels, this one may be the most intimidating for a lot of us. It can feel like a test, like there’s a right answer and we better get it right.
For sure it’s an important question about Jesus to ask ourselves-–“Who do I say Jesus is?” Is Jesus Lord of my whole life? Or just the Lord of Sunday mornings? Your answer to that question has probably changed over time. Your answer when you were 16 years old is likely to be different than at 46.
But notice that in this passage (Matthew 16:13-20) Jesus also tells Peter who Peter is--the rock. So maybe it’s important to turn the question around and ask Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” Then just listen to what he says. Who does Jesus say that you are? Let Jesus name you, you in particular, in the way only Jesus can say who you truly are.
Pause today to sit with Jesus. Hear him ask you, “Who do you say that I am?” Answer honestly, even if your answer is “I don’t know.” Then ask him, “Jesus, who do you say that I am?” Listen inwardly to his words to you today. Be in conversation with Jesus and see what happens!
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"Peter the Rock became a stumbling rock"
Thursday, 7 September 2017
Matthew 16:21-23
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When Jesus told his closest followers that he faced suffering and death, Peter (outspoken as usual) tried to talk Jesus out of the idea. Perhaps he thought Jesus was just a little down, being too negative. Or maybe he was fending off the fear in his own heart as he saw the religious leaders’ strong negative response to Jesus. Regardless, Jesus pushed back forcefully, telling “the Rock,” “You are a stone that could make me stumble.”
• Peter, like almost all first-century Jews, expected a conquering Messiah, a figure of intimidating power. That made it hard for him to grasp Jesus’ understanding of his self-sacrificing mission. What assumptions about life, success and greatness do you have that make it harder for you to accept Jesus’ teaching about a truly great human life? What has helped you move beyond those inherited cultural assumptions?
• In the fourth century, when the Roman emperor Constantine became a Christian, he transformed the faith into a source he credited with his worldly success or power. We see the same urge surface in some Christian ministries today. In what ways in a prosperous, tolerant first world setting does Jesus still call us to accept his teaching about his suffering and death, rather than pushing it away as “too negative”? How can we honor the divine principle Jesus held to that led him to rebuke Peter?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, transform my mind and heart so that I see life as you do. Give me the inner strength to follow and trust you, so that I can pray, with Julian of Norwich, “All shall be well… and all manner of thing shall be well.” Amen.
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"Jesus’ words when no one wore a cross necklace"
Friday, 8 September 2017
Matthew 16:24-28
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Peter’s rebuke didn’t lead Jesus to back away from his seemingly downbeat talk about suffering and death in Jerusalem. Far from it. Jesus “doubled down,” saying that he calls ALL his followers to “take their cross.” Don’t forget: when Jesus said this, no one sold “cross” jewelry. A cross was a horrific implement of torture and death, a thing “respectable” people avoided at all costs. Pastor John Ortberg quoted columnist Garret Fiddler as writing, “Really, the cross does not belong on the Christian; the Christian belongs on the cross.” Ortberg added, “The cross is a reminder that there is something in me that needs to die.” *
• Jesus asked what the point would be of gaining earthly wealth or prestige in a way that cost eternity. “Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives?” Today, virtually no one anywhere dies on a cross. So what do you believe it means for you to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus? What is there in you that “needs to die”? In your journey with Christ so far, have you had to decide whether to “take up your cross” in any life-shaping way? In what ways are you asking God to help you more clearly understand and commit to finding your true life by losing it? In what ways has Jesus already showed you your true self as you follow him?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, so many voices tell me that avoiding pain and sacrifice is the way to a good life. Give me a clear vision of your counter-cultural call. Let my lesser self die, so that a greater self shaped by you may be born. Amen.
* Garret Fiddler, Yale Daily News, April 21, 2011 quoted in John Ortberg, Who Is This Man? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, p. 192
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"Peter ('Rock')—a genuine servant-leader"
Saturday, 9 September 2017
Acts 2:12-16, 15:7-8, 13-14, Galatians 2:7-12
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We’ll return to Peter’s later life in more detail in this series’ last sermon. But this peek ahead shows us the kind of leader Peter became. He let Jesus shape his bold, outspoken nature into a compelling preacher, bravely declaring the power of the crucified and risen Jesus. He forcefully spoke out on behalf of the legitimacy of Gentile believers, whom he had seen receive God’s Holy Spirit without conforming to all Jewish regulations. But he also accepted James (Jesus’ brother) presiding over the Jerusalem conference. He welcomed Paul to the ranks of apostles, and agreed to focus his mission in a way that didn’t conflict with Paul’s. We hear and read a lot about “servant leaders.” We see Peter living out that kind of leadership.
• Would Peter have been a stronger, more worthy leader if he had required James to step aside and allow him to preside over the Jerusalem conference? If he had told Paul, “You weren’t there when Jesus said I was the rock on which he’d build his church. I will preach wherever and to whomever I please. You will just have to adjust your work to that”? In whatever leadership areas you have, from the largest business or church settings to the smallest, homeiest ones, how can you emulate Peter’s confident and humble model of leadership? Which aspects of Peter’s example are hardest for you to live out?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I need rebuke, make me as willing as Peter was to accept it. But when I need to stand firmly for you, give me his courage and boldness. Amen.
Family Activity: Invite each family member to share the name and special qualities of their favorite teacher. Remind everyone that Jesus was a teacher who spent much of his time helping others learn about God and God’s kingdom. As a family, talk about ways you are teachers of God and God’s ways. How do you teach with words, telling others about God and his love? How do you teach with your actions as you serve other people? Maybe you teach others about God by being kind, patient, generous, or a good listener. Commit to intentionally teaching someone about God’s love this week. Share your stories and experiences with your family. Write a note to your favorite teacher thanking her/him for being so important to you. Pray for one another and for all teachers to share patience, kindness and love with everyone.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Dick Walker and family on the death of his daughter-in-law Stacy Walker, 8/30
•Tom McCabe and family on the death of his mother Margaret McCabe, 8/29
•Colleen Aegerter and family on the death of her sister Cindi Hutchinson, 8/26
• Linda Reppell and family on the death of her brother-in-law Loren Martin, 8/19
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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