Getting It Right, Getting It Wrong

September 1st, 2014 Posted in writing

Peter’s declaration that Jesus was the Christ, the Son God, is one of the turning points of St. Matthew’s gospel (Matthew, ch.16), and Jesus tells Peter that he could never have come to that realization on his own; it had to be a gift of God. But when Jesus started talking about his coming suffering and death, Peter felt compelled to tell him, in front of the other disciples, how wrongheaded he was. And Jesus, who had just called Peter a “rock” for his faith, now called him “satan.”

Peter must have been stunned at such words from Jesus and being told that his thinking was totally out of step with God’s. The disciples must have been confused as well. Which was the real Peter? For that matter, which was the real Jesus?

Like Peter, we likely get Christ “right” at some times and “wrong” at others. We probably would prefer to think of the glory and power of Christ rather than his suffering and weakness. Maybe that’s because we want to share in the glory but realize that discipleship will also mean carrying our cross. So, Peter may have told Jesus to stop talking about having to suffer because Peter himself didn’t want to suffer.

But, as his life went on, Peter learned that following Jesus meant being willing to embrace and endure what Jesus embraced and endured. We struggle to learn the same lesson, and we can take consolation from the fact that we are in good company when we do.

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  2. By Pat Ostrander on Sep 2, 2014

    That’s why Peter is my favorite apostle… he was so often an example of a flawed person, yet he’s the one Christ chose to lead his church. And Peter also was a passionate person… he never went halfway on anything, in his good moments (jumping into the water to swim (or try to walk) to Jesus) and his bad moments (grabbing a sword in Gethsamane, his denial). If I had it to do over, “Peter” would have been my confirmation name choice… If Jesus can found a church on this passionate, flawed man, then he can make use of me.

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