21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? 27″For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. – Matthew 16:21-27 (NRSV)

Dear Friends,

Jesus, with his Disciples is now at the edge of Caesarea Philippi, a Gentile town twenty miles to the north of the sea of Galilee. Here, Peter recognizes Jesus, through divine revelation, as Christ, the Son of God. Jesus in turn recognizes Peter as the rock on which his church will be built.

Shortly thereafter, Jesus clearly explains to his Disciples his future suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter rebukes Jesus and says this should never happen to you. Jesus then characterizes Peter as a stumbling block for setting his mind on human things. Jesus refers to Satan because Peter’s rebuke temps Jesus’ humanity from God’s Divine Plan just as Satan had done in the past. It appears that Peter has allowed his humanity to override his prior acknowledgement that Jesus was the Son of God and his divinity when he learns of Jesus’ future suffering and death. 

Peter’s mind was on his own desire and interest in keeping Jesus alive and with them to set up a kingdom on earth, free from the yoke of Rome, and in which Peter will have a powerful position. He failed to appreciate the necessity of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice to redeem the human race from sin. His humanity and friendship with Jesus prevent him from understanding the Divine Plan of Jesus proclaiming his resurrection. Because of this, he went from a foundation rock to a stumbling block. Just like Peter, how often does our humanity hinder our own spiritual growth which results in our making the wrong choice?

Jesus then provides guidance to his Disciples about what they are called to do, which is to deny themselves. Self-denial is contrary to the message we hear so often in the world around us. It is the antithesis of always striving for our own benefit, be it gaining position or things. Rather, the self-denial that Jesus is referring to is setting the things of God before the things of humanity. The self-denial that Jesus is calling us to sets us free to be in a community where we see the needs of others and work with one another to meet those needs. But it is not always an easy task, which is why Jesus refers to it as taking up one’s cross. 

Jesus clearly describes the consequences of the choice of either picking up our cross and following Jesus or pursuing our desires and self-interests. The result of the first choice is a full, meaningful, and eternal life. The results of the second choice may be a successful temporal life as measured by the world, but one without eternal meaning or eternal value. Finally, Jesus reminds us that a time will come when there will be a final judgment of the choices we made. 

Blessings to you All,

Dick Fichter
Vestry Member
Worship Ministry Liaison

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* Come online to our Stronger Together Reconnection Chat tomorrow night (Thursday, Aug 27) anytime between 8:30 – 9:30 PM. ALL are welcome!

* Join us online on Sunday at 10 AM for worship on YouTube. We will welcome Reverend Kathleen Price as she leads us through worship.

* As always, Epiphany’s vestry and staff are here to support you in any way we can. Please contact Susan Buckner, Senior Warden at: srwarden@epiphanyec.org