Lectionary for Sunday 21
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
Collect. O Father, fount of all wisdom, in the humble witness of the apostle Peter you have shown the foundation of our faith. Give to all the light of your Spirit, that, recognising in Jesus of Nazareth the Son of the living God, they may become living stones for the building up of your holy Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Exodus 1:8 to 2:10. Last week we touched briefly on the life of Joseph and today we read about the birth of Moses the most revered leader in the history of Israel. Many centuries have passed since the Israelites had moved to the land of Egypt and the work of Joseph is a forgotten era. It is understandable that the Egyptians felt that the presence of a large and alien race could pose a threat to their security. In our modern world such feelings are not uncommon as large numbers of refugees cross borders to find food, shelter and security.
The remedy the Egyptians chose to diminish the threat proved to be ineffective and the people continued to thrive. Still the oppression was hard to endure. It was into that scenario that the writer reveals the story of God’s providence in protecting Moses and his family. Step by step the decisions that each of the participants in the story made proved effective in the rescue and survival of Moses. It is not hard to imagine the joy of Moses mother Jochebed being able to bring up her son at the request of Pharaoh’s daughter. So against all odds Moses was brought up and educated under the guidance of the royal household. The story reminds us of the power of God to direct situations but it also speaks to us of the faith and trust of this godly family from whom Moses was born. This story speaks strongly of the providential care of God.
However on an altogether different level is the continuation of God’s plan to raise up for Himself a people through whom the whole world would be blessed. Just as step by step God had guided the life of Joseph so now we see the beginning of God’s guidance of Moses. It is Moses who will be the key to all that God has planned to bring his chosen people into the Promised land.
This is an important story in the history of Israel but it reminds us all of the power and providence of God. Yes God has far reaching plans for his creation. A plan which will bring peace and justice to every aspect of the world God has created. Yet at the same time God also cares for individuals and God’s love and grace surrounds each one.”Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows”. Matthew 10:29ff NRSV
Prayer. Almighty and Everlasting God, we thank you that your eye is even on the sparrow. In your love we are greatly comforted as we face the joys and sorrows of daily life. In every situation your hand is there to help and guide us through. Gladly we look to you for all the blessings that come to us each day. We thank you for the faith that you give to us which enables us to trust you in all things. Strengthen us as we live out our lives that in all we do we may honour Jesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our prayer. Amen.
Reading. Matthew 16:13-20. Jesus chose to do much of his teaching ministry in the region of Galilee. This region was away from the religious conservatism which surrounded Jerusalem. Galilee had been conquered and repopulated centuries before the time of Jesus and as a consequence was ethnically a more diverse mix of people. As such it was more open to new or different religious ideas. Thus when Jesus began to teach about the freedom that the love of God and his kingdom would bring he quickly developed a large following. In our reading today we find Jesus teaching his disciples in Caesarea Philippi. As a region this was perhaps one of the most diverse ethnic and religious places and it was among such a diverse group that Jesus asks the important question, “Who do you say that I am?” This is still a pertinent question today for as in Jesus’ time who Jesus is can evoke many answers yet only one answer represents the truth. It is clear from the text that there was much speculation about Jesus’ origin, hence people were saying, John or Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets. Jesus looked to the disciples to speak for themselves, “Who do you say that I am.” The answer comes back, “You are The Christ”, literally the anointed one, the Messiah who God has sent. In this statement Peter is claiming for Jesus true divinity and for the first time Jesus is accepting that this is so. It is like a public announcement that Jesus has accepted the reality of his divinity in the presence of his closest disciples. (We noticed that at the end of this discussion Jesus commands them to keep that knowledge to themselves for though the time is growing short before he proceeds to the suffering that will happen in Jerusalem, this is still not the time to publicly reveal his true identity.)
Jesus acknowledges that by recognising his true identity Peter has received a revelation from God. This is still true today, common sense will not lead you to believe that Jesus is God himself, only revelation and faith will do that for Jesus is at once both human and divine. To misquote a phrase of Charles Wesley’s, to common sense that is “Incomprehensible”. (Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man; Hymn: Let Heaven and Earth combine.)
In the intimacy of teaching his disciples, Jesus nominates that Peter is to be the leader of the assembly or congregation that will, when the time comes to receive the revelation, believe and follow Jesus Christ as Lord. Our translation says”church” and that is correct for those who recognise the deity of Jesus constituted the church. The followers of Jesus are linked in faith to Jesus Christ and Peter is to be the first leader.
In the region where this teaching took place was a cave commonly called the “Gates of Hell”. It was not the only place in the ancient world given such a title but it was considered in pagan religions as the gateway to the place of the dead. Death will never welcome those who are the members of the church for Jesus Christ has conquered death. In the same way the church will always be victorious over death for nothing will ever separate his followers from his presence.
The power to bind or loose is absolute and yet problematic. As it is linked to the keys of the kingdom, perhaps it to bind those who are opposed to Jesus and the things of the church, while freeing those who wish to escape from the power of sin and death. Whatever it means the final result is that the church, the community of Jesus Christ will be victorious over all opposition trough the merits of Jesus Christ the Saviour.
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, when the time was right you came to redeem all of human kind, to bring freedom to the oppressed and justice to all. For your sovereign ministry on our behalf we give you all thanks and praise. We thank you for your obedience to God and for the victory that you won. Help us always to to be faithful as we follow in your way. May we be faithful to your word, placing you above all others, now and for always. This we ask with humble and thankful hearts. Amen
Collect. Jesus, Messiah of God, you invite our faith; grant us the grace to trust you as Peter did, and in our day to proclaim you Son of the Living God. Amen.
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