The Confession of St. Peter, Leader of the Church

Proper 16A, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Moses Lake by Sr. Annette Fricke Immediately after Jesus tells his disciples to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the discourse changes. Pharisees claimed Mosaic authority for their interpretation of Jewish religious law, while Sadducees represented the authority of the priestly privileges and prerogatives established since the days of Solomon, when Zadok, their ancestor, officiated as high priest. Jesus made it a habit to meet with just his disciples during his ministry. This is one of those moments. He asks an important question. “Who do people say that I am?” It appears that Jesus is asking for feedback. The disciples say that they are comparing him with other important figures in history including a contemporary, John the Baptist. The others in the list have long since died. Perhaps he wants to know this information to get a read on how his teachings are being received. He is also getting close to the time when he will be crucified, and he is aware that his time is short. He is also keenly aware that it is the disciples who will be left to carry on his ministry. He wants them to be prepared. He is testing the disciples. He has been with them a few years now. So, he asks the disciples point blank, “Who do you say I am?” Now, Jesus moves to a related topic where Peter is significant. But why Peter? Isn’t he the one who later denies he even knows Jesus? Peter and the other disciples fell asleep as Jesus prayed before being crucified. Isn’t he also the one quick with his tongue, not thinking about what is coming out? Why is Peter the chosen one out of the disciples? And remember the disciples fighting about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and who will be sitting in the seats of power? What’s so great about Peter? Jesus calls him a rock. And perhaps Peter is dumb as a rock as well as having the right answer rock. It is a nickname, that is not a real name during Jesus’ lifetime here. Martin Luther firmly believed that this passage of scripture does not mean Peter is the first of the popes. Martin felt that the important succession was the teachings of Jesus and that we are all to carry on teaching others about God in the same way that he did. Another view is that it is the belief of Peter that is important. Belief, because Peter’s actions aren’t exemplary. Jesus here mentions that “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you!” Along that same line of thinking is the catechetical instruction in Luther’s Catechism that states, “The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth.” It means that God is always at work in the church here on earth. God is always at our sides to lead and bless our ministries despite our blunders, our awkwardness, our foolishness, and our mistakes. Peter is declared to be right in that he experienced Jesus as the gateway to the kingdom of God. Jesus is the Messiah. Messiah means ‘anointed one.’ Jesus is anointed like the kings of old who were anointed to rule over earthly kingdoms. To be anointed is to be set aside for a special purpose. But what does all this mean for us? It means that we are also anointed for ministry to lead others into the kingdom of God—baptism, confirmation, ordination, what is called the last rites before dying we are anointed with oil. It means that we are sent out like the disciples in our various ministries. It means that we are part of a team like the disciples and are to work together for the common purpose of teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God and gathering God’s people together. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies all of us. We are all Jesus’ modern-day disciples. It means sharing in the ministry of the church, participating in what goes on here and in the world where we live and work. Peter was chosen because he was a leader and believed in his heart that Jesus is the chosen one of God. Peter testified that Jesus is the Christ. Many years have passed now since the disciples were first sent out. Now it is our turn. There are structures within each of the Christian churches at local levels and above, each designed to push us forward, to encourage us to grow both individually and corporately. We are able, like Peter to grow to a mature faith that works to figure out a way to study and act, pray and navigate our ways both within and outside of these walls. We are strengthened when we come together for worship. We grow when we learn from each other. God has blessed us with many gifts and talents in this small gathering of people, but it always has the potential to become a vibrant presence in our community and reaching beyond our small corner of the world. That’s really what this gospel lesson is all about. It’s about us as a group and us as individuals. It is about us willing to let God lead us forward. The world is waiting. We have the keys. We have the authority. We have the promise that God goes with us everywhere and will never abandon us.