Peter (Matthew 16 - P 40)

After Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees and the warning to his disciples about them, we see this little band move into the district of Caesarea Philippi.  This area would be about 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee and would be in Gentile territory.  Jesus again moves his disciples into a region where he will not be confronted by the religious establishment.  His days are growing short ... and his training of his own disciples is intensifying.  Before you read the passage for today, I want to tell you a bit about the region where they are walking and where Jesus will pose his question.  The region around the city of Caesarea Philippi was ripe with religious imagery.  

In "The Land and the Book", W. M. Thomson writes that there were no fewer than 14 temples scattered in the area ... temples of the ancient Syrian Baal worship.  Not only was it ripe with ancient Syrian religious influence, it also was believed to be the birthplace of the god, Pan, the god of nature.  So Greek gods had a presence in the area as well.  In addition, there is a great cave in the mountainside that contains a cavity of water that is deep and still.  We learn in "Antiquities of the Jews" that this was considered to be the birthplace of the Jordan River - that River at the heart of the Jewish story.  And to add to the incredible mix, there was a great temple of white marble built to Caesar - built by Herod the Great.

It is in the shadows of these mighty edifices, where Jesus, the poor Galilean carpenter stands with his band of ordinary men ... and asks the question ...

Read Matthew 16: 13 - 20

It is a question of identity.  It is a question of faith.  It is the question that comes to each of us at a point in our lives.  We must confront our belief about the identity of Jesus.  Was he just another remarkable prophet in a long line of prophets?  Was he another Jewish rabbi that lived and walked and taught about the things of God?  Was he a great philosopher and teacher - a spiritual man indeed - among the few in human history?  The question comes to you as well, you know.  Whom do YOU say that Jesus is?  I stand with Peter.  I say, too, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And I bow my head in worship ...

What follows in our passage are some difficult sayings.  They have been debated and discussed, examined and dissected by biblical scholars since their writing.  And disagreement abounds.  There is hardly time and space to fully explore the debate in this space.  I encourage you to study the commentaries to get the variety of interpretations that have been brought forward.  

For our purposes ... this blog study is focused on application of scripture to our daily lives ... so allow me to make a couple of observations that help me in application.

First, Peter as 'the rock'?  His name means 'rock' - Peter is petros.  God is described so often throughout Old Testament scripture as our 'rock', our foundation.  Peter certainly is not taking the place of God as our rock.  I think the picture is clarified somewhat in Ephesians 2; 20 - 21:

[members of the household of God] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.  In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Jesus is the cornerstone ... and I think Peter was the first stone laid!  The church, the fellowship of believers in Jesus as Messiah, began with Peter.  

Application for me?  I, too, am a stone in the building.  I am joined together with the people of God all over the world ... time past and time forward.  My desire is to be a strong stone - one that can hold weight.  One that will not crumble.  One that is steady and sure.  And by the grace of God ... 

Secondly, the keys of the kingdom?  A key opens a door.  The one who holds the key can open and give access.  And Peter does just that.  Remember Pentecost? (Acts 2)  Who preached that first sermon to that Jewish audience?  It was Peter.  Remember Cornelius? (Acts 10)  Who opened the door for Gentiles to have access to Jesus as Messiah?  It was Peter.  Jesus' words to Peter are in stark contrast to his words to the Pharisees.  Listen to what Jesus said to the Pharisees with this same imagery in mind.  

Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites!  For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven.  For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. (Matthew 23: 13 - 14)

Application for me?  I long to be a good steward in the household of God.  I want to provide access to people to enter the kingdom of God.  I don't want to lock the door!  God, may I speak of you with wisdom ... may my life reflect your glory ... may my words open the door for others to meet you face to face.

I want to close our thoughts today with a summary statement written by William Barclay.  It is his own paraphrase of these difficult verses.  And they speak to my heart ...

When we paraphrase this passage which has caused so much argument and controversy, we see that it deals not with religious form but with the things of salvation.  Jesus said to Peter:  'Peter, your name means a rock, and your destiny is to be a rock.  You are the first person to recognize me for what I am, and therefore you are the first stone in the edifice of the fellowship of those who are mine.  Against that fellowship, the embattled powers of evil will no more prevail than they will be able to hold me captive in death.  And in the days to come, you must be the steward who will unlock the doors of the kingdom that Jew and Gentile may come in; and you must be the wise administrator and guide who will solve the problems and direct the work of the infant and growing fellowship.'

Privilege and Responsibility.  Jesus gave them first to Peter.  And he gives to you and I also ... privilege and responsibility.  May we carry them well!