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Peter's principlesMonday, February 22, 2010
Matthew 16:19 Peter gets beyond that. Putting doubts behind and sharing his thoughts without editing, he freely calls Jesus the Messiah. Jesus renames Peter and anoints him. In spite of Peter's unfinished imperfections, Jesus gives him the key to the heavenly city. As God reclaims earth from the lease long held by Satan he will transform all earthly things by the love of heaven. Jesus puts Peter in the center of this reclamation. (Matt 16:13-20) Despite his momentary clarity, Peter's pride quickly claims the high ground. Peter has it in his mind to claim heaven in the form of Jesus and bring it/him to the earth's standard, the Peter-standard. Jesus will ride high and never die, superior and strong, a great king. Jesus quickly quiets his protective friend and rebukes Satan's sabotage. (Matt 16:21-23) Jesus' work involves love and death, not power. God's power is real, and he paints a picture of angelic might to soothe the disciples' fears. But these future events follow sacrifice and suffering and death. (Matt 16:24-28) Does Peter get it? Not so much in chapter 17. But eventually he throws off his earthbound way of seeing and abandons himself to God. Jesus taught him that "pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses his understanding" (Khalil Gibran, The Prophet). His suffering can no longer be used by Satan; he sees this earthly pain through heaven's eyes and knows more than ever even then how much he's loved. In this way heaven reclaims earth from Satan, day by day by day. You are my shepherd, Lord, I shall not want. You make me lie down in green pastures; you lead me beside the still waters. You restore my soul and lead me in paths of righteousness. When I walk in the valley of shadows and death I will fear no evil because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies and anoint my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell with you in your house day after day forever. (Psalm 23) |
Jesus challenges me over and over in chapter 16 to start seeing the world from heaven's point of view instead of the other way around. The Pharisees want a sign from heaven rather than heeding the sign right there in front of their physical eyes that Jesus provides for them. They seem to think heaven must prove itself to them. (Matt 16:1-12)