THINK AGAIN (38 OF 52)
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
This content is part of a series.
Think Again (38 of 52)
Series: Lectionary, Year A
Christopher B. Harbin
Matthew 16:21-28
How much of our time is focused on human versus divine issues? Indeed the gospel has a lot to say about issues of living within the confines of this world. That was the bulk of Jesus' teaching. The question is not about issues of living the gospel in this plane of existence. Rather it is about a focus of our living in ways that do not make the gospel central to our thought process. At what point do our thoughts, attitudes, and actions run contrary to God's purposes as we relegate Godly issues to a small slice of our existence and interactions with others?
Unsurprisingly, Peter stuck his foot in his mouth again. We can't really blame him, though. Even if he had been thinking consciously of following John Wesley's three general rules, he could have come to the same conclusion that he needed to intervene. After all, ''Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God'' seem perfectly in concert with Peter protecting Jesus. Who in their right mind would believe that the good news of God's redemption, forgiveness, and grace must mean that Jesus as Messiah should suffer and die?
Everything Peter had heard about Messiah countered what Jesus' talk about suffering and death. God's anointed should usher Israel into an age of glory. More than the overthrow of Israel's political enemies, Messiah would bring about a golden age for the nation. Other nations would turn to Israel for guidance, adjusting their social, cultural, and political norms into harmony with the justice of Yahweh for the poor, sick, widows, orphans, and all others so often marginalized and oppressed by the status quo. Jesus declared he was about to receive the brunt of status quo oppression. He would be on the receiving end of it all, rather than effecting a reversal through a forceful demonstration of divine power.
Like the rest of the disciples, Peter was looking for a showdown akin to that of Elijah on M ...
Series: Lectionary, Year A
Christopher B. Harbin
Matthew 16:21-28
How much of our time is focused on human versus divine issues? Indeed the gospel has a lot to say about issues of living within the confines of this world. That was the bulk of Jesus' teaching. The question is not about issues of living the gospel in this plane of existence. Rather it is about a focus of our living in ways that do not make the gospel central to our thought process. At what point do our thoughts, attitudes, and actions run contrary to God's purposes as we relegate Godly issues to a small slice of our existence and interactions with others?
Unsurprisingly, Peter stuck his foot in his mouth again. We can't really blame him, though. Even if he had been thinking consciously of following John Wesley's three general rules, he could have come to the same conclusion that he needed to intervene. After all, ''Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God'' seem perfectly in concert with Peter protecting Jesus. Who in their right mind would believe that the good news of God's redemption, forgiveness, and grace must mean that Jesus as Messiah should suffer and die?
Everything Peter had heard about Messiah countered what Jesus' talk about suffering and death. God's anointed should usher Israel into an age of glory. More than the overthrow of Israel's political enemies, Messiah would bring about a golden age for the nation. Other nations would turn to Israel for guidance, adjusting their social, cultural, and political norms into harmony with the justice of Yahweh for the poor, sick, widows, orphans, and all others so often marginalized and oppressed by the status quo. Jesus declared he was about to receive the brunt of status quo oppression. He would be on the receiving end of it all, rather than effecting a reversal through a forceful demonstration of divine power.
Like the rest of the disciples, Peter was looking for a showdown akin to that of Elijah on M ...
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