By Rev. Canon David b. Tabo-oy
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, 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. 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.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Matthew 16:13-,20 NIV,
The most visited tourist attraction in Jordan and has become the country’s symbol is Petra (Lost City). It’s biblical name was Sela and is located within Wadi Musa southwest of Jordan. It is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Petra is also called the ‘Rose City’ because of the color of the rock from which it is carved. I had the opportunity to visit the place in 1999 and it’s really amazing the rock-built and rock-carved structures. The name Petra was derived from the Greek word ‘petros’ which means ‘rock’. And Simon the son of Jonah, one of the twelve disciples was renamed Peter (rock) after confessing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, 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 (vv.17,18).
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To the minds of the Hebrews and even to most indigenous people today names and naming are important. A name was the summary of the existence of the thing or person named. To change a person’s name as God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Jacob’s name to Israel was to alter fundamentally that person’s identity, relationships, and mission. To give a person his or her name was, in some way, to shape their destiny. The same works even in this modern world: those who are called Christians are supposed to be followers of Christ’s teachings. To confess Jesus Christ is to be changed and given identity and mission in relationship to Jesus. In our baptism we are given a name which we received “in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Thus making us part of Christ’s body and partners in the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-,20 NIV)
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Names are significant for Matthew. At his birth Jesus’ name is interpreted as signifying that “he will save his people from their sins (1:21). Now in parallel manner the confessor’s name is given significance. His name is Peter, Jesus says, and it is on this “rock” that he will build his church (16:18). Discipleship is named, founded, and commissioned in this confession. When it comes to our true identity, the name of every Christian, like Peter’s name, is given in Baptism as a response to the gift of faith. That is why our first name is also called our ‘Christian name’.
No one can create another church. Christ’s church can be built on no other foundation, with no other living stones than those he names, and with no other cornerstone and chief builder than Christ himself. We constantly re-live this Gospel story. As we say to Jesus, “you are the Christ”, he says to us, “ you, too, are Peter, you too, are a rock, and with you, also, I am building my church.” What happened to Peter continues and it includes us. It has been pointed out that the Church is always one generation from extinction. If we don’t spread the Gospel, it will be just one generation away from disappearing from the face of the earth. It’s a compelling idea, isn’t it? It enhances our sense of Christian responsibility. We need to get out there and work for the Gospel or the Church could fade into history.
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Perhaps you have heard the old story about Jesus appearing in heaven just after his resurrection. Jesus is giving a progress report on all that has happened while he was on earth. Moses is there and he asks him, “Well Jesus, did you leave things in capable hands?” Jesus responds, “I did. I have left behind Mary and Martha and Peter and the other disciples.” Moses said, “What if they fail?” Jesus said, “Well, I have established the Church and filled it with the Holy Spirit and they will carry on.” And Moses said, “What if they fail?” Came the reply, “I have no other plan.” There’s a great tension there. God is at work here in our church but we’ve been given the keys of the Kingdom. We have work to do and Christ calls us to it. The prophet Micah put it this way: “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God.”
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Jesus called Peter blessed, fortunate, happy. Remember what that blessedness looked like. Remember Peter’s life of poverty and struggle, of pain and of conflict and, finally, of a Martyr’s death. That’s what Jesus meant by blessed. To be given a new name by Jesus, to have a Christian name, this always includes being named as servant, as minister, as one who gives one’s self, and so becomes a gift to the world in the name of Christ. “To be chosen, to be called, to be named as part of the glorious company of Christ’s church, to be another rock, this is never done as a sign of privilege, but always as a mark for service; never for ourselves alone, but always for others.”(James Ligget)
So we are named during our Christian baptism. By this virtue, we are named rock, part of Christ’s church, and we are named servant, gift to the world. In that way, we are named as Christ’s own, forever.
Let us pray.
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16 Collect, BCP)
