1. Peter’s Confession of Christ

Christmas (Christ’s birth), Easter (the Resurrection) and Pentecost ( the descent of the Holy Spirit) are the biggest three festivals of the church. And we celebrate together today the third one, Pentecost. Originally it is a Jewish festival as its name shows. * And on that very day, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Jesus. From the Resurrection of Jesus to the day, they had been fearful and hidden themselves to avoid accusation by Jewish authority. But since that day they started openly the ministry of the Good News by witnessing Jesus’ genuine identity, the son of God.

Those who listened to their words were moved and received baptism. Therefore the day is considered to be the birthday of the church, which is celebrated every year. In time of the early church, new christians put on white clothe to receive baptism and the custom gave another name to Pentecost ‘White Sunday’ .

Today, Mr. K was baptized and became a new member of our church. Preceding the rite, he gave the confession and it seemed that he had taken the decision by himself. However it was the Holy Spirit who led and guided him to do so. The spiritual power recalled to him the love of Jesus Christ who is always with us. As a result, Mr.k was pushed to witness to Jesus and try again to make efforts for life as his follower.

It means that the same event occurred today as what had happened on Pentecost some 2000 years ago. At that time Peter said ; - “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."(Acts 2:36) And the audience responded to Peter and the other apostles ; - “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Then they received baptism by following Peter’s direction. Mr.K did likewise.

Today we read Matthew 16:13-20 which describe the conversation between Jesus and his disciples about the real identity of Jesus. Jesus asked them “Who do you say I am?” and Peter answered “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The passage should be the most appropriate to the celebration of baptism. And lecture on the verses should allow us to meditate better what is the faith as the base of the church.

Jesus, knowing that the rest of his earthy time was short, retreated from Galilee, the place of ministry. He crossed over northern lands with his disciples. Then, after taking brief rest, he decided to set off to Jerusalem. He knew also that he would be arrested and killed there. Therefore he predicted the upcoming Passion to brace them for the incident.

To begin with, he asked them who ordinary people said Jesus was. And ; - They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."(Matthew 16:14)

In short, the people thought that he might be sent by God in heaven as a prophet, or to some extent, as a messiah. So Jesus wanted to know the understanding of his disciples ; - But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ,the Son of the living God."(Matthew 16:15-16)

However Peter used the term “Messiah” in the frame of the Old testament. It should signify “a savior” who would set Israel free from gentiles’ domination and lead it to glory. Indeed, the Jewish people of the time aspired to the independence from Roman empire to restore the glorious kingdom of David. Therefore they keenly looked for a powerful leader, the Messiah. Peter’s confession was given in that context. And Matthew recorded Jesus’ unexpected reply in form of blessing words from verse 17 ; - “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.(Matthew16:17-18)

However we have the impression that the blessing is rather inappropriate there. Because we know that Jesus chose the future very different from what Peter imagined. Life of Jesus as the Messiah was filled with sufferings and pains, the Passion and the Cross. Even knowing Peter’s misunderstanding, did Jesus give the blessing to him? How should we interpret the message ?

I think we will find an answer by reading carefully the verses after the blessing ; - Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. ( Matthew16:20)

* Old English pentecosten, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek pentēkostē (hēmera) ¡Æfiftieth (day)¡Ç because the Jewish festival is held on the fiftieth day after the second day of Passover. (New Oxford American Dictionary)

2. Jesus rebuked Peter

Jewish authority of the time was offended by Jesus’ teaching and sought to trap him. It was evident that Jesus could not avoid the risk of accusations and the verdict to execution. But sill, Jesus was ready to undergo any duties as the will of the father God. Therefore ; - From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.(Matthew 16:21)

However the disciples could not accept that. They thought it was impossible that the Messiah sent by God would die such a miserable death. So ; - Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!"(Matthew 16:22)

Hearing those words, ; - Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."(Matthew 16:23)

Ordinary people adore and worship a glorious messiah in secular sense. And they want to take part of his splendid status. Jesus performed healing acts in Galilee and taught with powerful language about the kingdom of God. So much so numerous crowd followed him anywhere. Peter and other disciples also followed Jesus as such a magnificent man. They quitted former job of fisherman to leave their family and property. They hoped to become influential and impressive persons thanks to Jesus’ fame. But hearing Jesus’ prediction, they became uncertain about the future. Jesus said that he would die in Jerusalem whereas they thought he would be enthroned there.

It seems natural that they were strongly upset. Peter’s rebuking words represent the feeling. And Jesus severely disapproved Peter’s attitude. Matthew’s record reveals that the disciples of Jesus had not followed him really and their witness to him hadn’t been authentic in severe sense. However, to be fair with them, it is true that they loved Jesus. Therefore, after Jesus’ arrest, Peter went to the house of the hight priest. But being challenged by servants of the house, he denied three times the relationship with Jesus. His faith was not stable enough to withstand harsh trials.

But vulnerable followers turned into zealous ones through meeting Jesus after the Resurrection.

John chapter 21 reported that his disciples gat back to Galilee after the death of Jesus and became fishermen again. Then, he wrote, Jesus showed himself before them and took a meal together. Metamorphose realized at that very moment. John described the scene ; - When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)

And ; - Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)

“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you” was Peter’s ultimate and genuine witness to Jesus. Peter understood that Jesus loved him regardless of his weakness. Jesus knew the nature of Peter very well. Thus Peter repented. Jesus accepted his repentance and gave him the command ‘Feed my lambs’ decisively. The passage teaches us that Jesus loves those who are defeated and admitted weakness of themselves. Besides he trusts God’s work to such persons!

3. Matthew 16:17-19 reveals the assigned mission

Today’s invocation verses are John 20:22-23 ; - And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus gave the mission to his disciples when he showed himself after the Resurrection. We find a similar message in Matthew 16:19 ; - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Yes, both of two portions represent the assignment Jesus accorded to the church in form of blessing. Prior to his death, Jesus taught, ‘ The kingdom of God has come.’ Then he went to the Cross and was resurrected by God. Through those events, his disciples recognized that Jesus was the son of God. Therefore they witnessed definitely, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."(Matthew 16:16)

And Jesus said in response to it ; - “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:17-18)

Matthew also declared, through these Jesus’ words, that the same mission was given to his church. ; - “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

However it doesn’t mean that the church has the authority to decide who can enter in heaven and who cannot. The gate of heaven is accessible to all human beings and the role of church is to open it by preaching and giving guidances to those who are willing to listen to. We witnessed to Jesus in line with christian teachings and received the baptism.

But still, an important problem remains, the difficulty of the authentic confession. For example, Peter himself has been misled for certain time. Thereby ; - Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)

It took longtime for Peter to reach at the genuine faith. We are the same. Very often, confession of faith in Jesus and baptizement doesn’t come from the real faith. For that reason, many of us lose it and leave the church afterwards. Nonetheless the church always stands on their side and keeps its door open. That is the meaning of “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Today we received a new member of the congregation through baptizement. But he might become uncertain or doubtful of God’s love, even of His existence. He might leave the church a day. But, not only him alone, all of us are given the chance to tray again and come back. Because Jesus will keep waiting for us and the church is ready to forgive and embrace all of us. We decide to be baptized because we believe it.