BEGIN WITH THE WISDOM OF JESUS
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with an image of the type of foundation one needs for a solid house. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.” (Matt 7:24-25)
Keep that image provided by Jesus in mind as you listen to Jesus’ declaration for the foundation of the church that God through Christ is building. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18)
THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION
Recall the Gospel’s own account of the characteristics of this rock upon which Jesus chose to build his church.
- Peter was the first disciple to declare Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. (Matt 16:16) But immediately after that high moment of faith, Matthew records Peter wanting to adjust Jesus’ ministry according to the realities of the world. Jesus is trying to tell his disciples about his coming suffering, “and Peter took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’” (16:22)
Let us continue to note some of the qualities of Peter according to the Gospels. Remembering that these are the characteristics upon which the church is built.
- When God had provided this rock with a high spiritual experience as a witness to Jesus’ Transfiguration, Peter’s response was to want to freeze this experience on the mountain top. (Mark 9:5 and other Gospels.)
- Matthew 14:29 records a stunning act of faith when Peter got out of the boat and started walking on water toward Jesus. “But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened , and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”
- Do you recall when Peter tried to negotiate with Jesus as to the limits for offering forgiveness? (Matt 18:21)
- When James and John made a grab for power by sending their mother to ask Jesus for positions on his right and left in the kingdom, it appears that Peter was with the rest of the disciples in responding to their behavior with anger. (Matt 20:24)
- Peter, along with James and John, could not stay awake at the critical time for Jesus while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Mark 14:32-42)
- After Peter had made a declaration of total commitment to Jesus, even to laying down his life, (John 13:37) all the Gospels record Peter’s denial at the time of his arrest. It is also clear that Peter joined the other disciples in running away at the time of the crucifixion.
- John 18:10 records that it was Peter who resorted to violence at the time of Jesus’ arrest by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s slave.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS
All four of the Gospels are unashamed to report on the weaknesses and errors in judgment that the disciples and Paul made in their ministry. While Peter, according to Jesus the very foundation for building the Christian church, makes courageous and inspired declarations of faith, he is also prone to repeatedly failing at critical moments. Is it possible that God knew and intended from the beginning to build the church on a foundation of very human and frequently fallible characteristics?
Recall some of the criticism that is often directed at the church and recall the echoes of some of Peter’s behavior.
- How often is the church accused of trying to modify the Gospel in light of worldly reason?
- While there have been great acts of faith exercised by the church, fear has often caused such actions to sink out of sight.
- The church frequently bears the reputation of being excessive in judgmentalism rather than in being too free with forgiveness.
- History is filled with examples of churches approving of violence,
- Paying attention to their own needs at critical times,
- Responding with anger when other members behave in ways that they judge inappropriate, and
- Wanting to withdraw from the world and focus on their own spiritual experiences.
In the next blog, we will explore how the church, built on this foundation, can testify to the Good News of God. Think about how such a church does evangelism.
