Thursday 29 June 2023

Psalm 125

Background

In Matthew’s Gospel, the confession of Jesus’ identity by Peter marks somewhat of a turning point in his story of Jesus as it’s following this encounter that Jesus begins to openly foretell his death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23).

In the district of Caesarea Philippi, which was a Gentile (non-Jewish) region in the north of Israel, Jesus asks his disciples who people say "that the Son of Man is?" (v. 13), with the ‘Son of Man’ a typical way in which Jesus referred to himself. The disciples respond that there are a variety of descriptions, naming John the Baptist and some key prophetic figures, some of whom were expected to come again before the Messiah’s arrival (Malachi 4:5).

It is Peter, however, who correctly identifies Jesus, describing him as the "Messiah, the Son of the living God" (v. 16). Jesus is the ‘Messiah’ meaning he's the one who fulfils the ancient promises that God would send a deliverer to his people, but he is also the ‘Son of the living God’, one who exists in close relationship with his Father – God.

Jesus praises Peter – who here he calls "Simon son of Jonah" – declaring that it is God who has revealed to Peter this insight! Using a wordplay on the name Peter, Jesus declares, "You are Peter [in Greek petros] and on this rock {Greek: petra] I will build my church" (v. 17). While the Roman Catholic tradition has tended to see this text as evidence that Peter was the ‘first bishop’ of the Church, Protestant interpreters argue that it’s the confession of Peter that’s key! Knowing who Jesus really is forms the foundation for the Church, and even the ‘gates of Hades’ – that is, the power of the underworld – will not defeat it (v. 18)

The final verse of today's passage (v. 19) on the ‘keys of the kingdom of heaven’ and the power to ‘bind’ and to ‘loose’ has led to much discussion, and probably refers to the Church’s role in inviting people into the kingdom and excluding that which is not of God.

To Ponder:

•  In ways do you describe and understand Jesus?
• In what ways do you think the Church might open the kingdom of heaven to others?