June 29, 2023
Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 9:1-18, John 13:21-38
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 ESV)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our reading allows us to draw a straight line from Peter, to Luther, and then to Lutherans. Peter confessed Christ, Luther confessed Christ, and Lutherans continue to confess Christ. This may be true, but Peter’s confession also draws a straight line into the past as well. In other words, the confession of Peter plants the New Testament church firmly in the soil of the Old Testament. The words of both Peter and Jesus here bring to mind the promises of God to David and Abraham.
When Jesus gives Simon the name of Peter, He places him alongside others in Israel’s past who had been given new names. People like Abram who became Abraham. Abraham was given the promise that he would become the father of many nations, that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. This means that Peter and the church after him are linked to that promise. Peter and the church are part of the great multitude of the children of Abraham that are the people of God. Even the word ‘rock’ here is important because of its ties to the promise to Abraham (Isaiah 51:1-2 ) This rock theme is also tied up with David and the building of a house for God. The rock at the base of the temple on Mt. Zion was thought of as the center of the cosmos. It was the place upon which heaven, earth, and even the underworld came together. Now Jesus is saying that upon this rock he will build his church.
The church is the place where heaven and earth meet. It is the center of the cosmos and the very gates of hell will not prevail against it. In other words, death itself has no power in the church of Christ. Confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God makes you into His living people, people that death cannot touch. Here resides the true mystery of the cross. In the death and resurrection of Jesus is the death of death itself and the promise of resurrection for all God’s people. The covenant God made with Abraham, the covenant God made with David, are all fulfilled in Jesus. You are part of those covenants. You are all children of Abraham, and you are all subjects of the Davidic King. You were all given new names in Baptism and You are part of the great house of God that is the church and you have nothing to fear from the gates of hell. In other words, you rock! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Merciful and eternal God, Your holy apostles Peter and Paul received grace and strength to lay down their lives for the sake of your Son. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that we may confess Your truth and at all times be ready to lay down our lives for Him who laid down His life for us, even Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-Pastor Grant Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, California.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
