Matthew 16:13-20
A. INTRODUCTION
In all the busyness of the modern world, we need to have time out to think, time to be away from the hustle and bustle of the world, and time to be able to sit and reflect on where we are in life, how we got here, and where we are going.
Of course, for some people having time to reflect on the past doesn’t seem to be a problem, except for the fact that they seem to be stuck there. Because past events are continually dragged up and often not seen in a positive light.
On the other hand, there are some who seem very much on top of the situation. And if there were any skeletons in the cupboard, you’d never know it. Because they appear to be very much in control and getting on with life.
And for some . . . Well, having time to reflect is a problem, because it can seem that there are just not enough hours in the day. Furthermore, those good intentions of pencilling in time, so that it that can be spent in reflection, all come to naught. Simply because in no time that pencilled in space has been replaced by something that needs more urgent attention.
Now, if you can identify with either the first group—the people stuck in the past; the second group—those who appear to be getting on in life; or the last group—those struggling to have time to reflect, then this passage from Matthew’s gospel may well be for you. Because today’s story identifies one of those rare occasions where Jesus finally got his wish—for time away from the crowds, for a time of reflection, and for time to be with his disciples.
And Jesus had tried on many occasions to get away and spend time alone with his disciples, only to no avail. But on this occasion, they were on their own; there were no crowds; and there was no one coming to him for either teaching or healing. And, as a consequence, we see Jesus (with the disciples) taking full advantage of the time they had together, examining where they’d been, where they were, and where they were going.
B. A TIME OF REFLECTION
1. Background
Now up to this point in the Jesus’s life, Jesus had not made any explicit declaration of who he really was. Yes, he had implied who he was through his teaching and miracles. And this, of course, had led to speculation by the crowds that he was the Son of David. And this, in turn, no doubt, gave rise to the authorities repeated demands for a sign to authenticate his claims. However, Jesus had not made any explicit claims, himself.
John the Baptist, however, had pointed forward to a ‘coming one’, and he had tentatively identified Jesus in the messianic role. Furthermore, King Herod had confused Jesus with that of (the deceased) John the Baptist. But again, Jesus had not made any explicit claims.
2. Reflecting on how others saw him (13-14)
But now it was time for some clarification. And so, the first thing that Jesus did was to ask the disciples who did other people think that he was? With all the teaching, the miracles, the compassion to the outcasts of society, etc, etc., how was he regarded by people outside of his inner circle?
Of course, the disciples reported a variety of opinions. However, interestingly, they did not report any hostile views. The concentrated their answers only on people who in some sense approved of Jesus.
And as John the Baptist had obviously made a profound impression, and some of John’s followers had thought that his death had not meant the last of him, some, therefore, agreed with Herod that Jesus was John risen from the dead. Others, however, identified Jesus with Elijah (Malachi 4:5), fulfilling the prophecy that Elijah would indeed return again. And others still identified him with Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. In other words, Jesus was considered typical of the prophets by many of the Jewish people.
3. Reflecting on how the Disciples saw him (15-16)
An interesting selection of responses.
But Jesus was not prepared to leave it there. Because having heard what the general public’s opinion of him was, Jesus turned his attention away from the general public—with its casual contacts and its imperfect loyalty—and turned the question onto his closest and dearest followers: his disciples. The one’s who had left all and followed him, and had been with him some considerable time. And he asked them who they thought that he was.
And, at this point in the story, it’s like all eyes were turned towards Peter. And the reason for that was that Peter was a leader, one of the inner three, and spokesman of the twelve. So, when Peter answered he wasn’t just answering on his own behalf, he was answering on behalf of them all. And Peter’s response was ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’.
Now, it is unlikely this was the first time the disciples had thought in these terms. Some such idea must have been with them from the start, as a reason to follow him in the first place. But as they had lived and worked with Jesus their understanding of ‘Messiah’ had enlarged. And although it is not clear what Peter thought the ‘Anointed One’ would be and do, he certainly gave voice to a very exalted view of Jesus.
4. Reflecting on who he actually was (17 & 20)
Which in turn led Jesus to pronounce his blessing on Peter. And, indeed, Jesus, for the first time, acknowledged that indeed he was the Messiah, and he congratulated Peter on his wisdom and insight. However, with a proviso. And that was that Peter’s understanding was no mere accident of human effort. On the contrary, it was the product of God’s divine revelation. A revelation which, a little later, Jesus told them to keep to themselves.
So, yes, it was a fact, he was the Messiah. But apart from his small group of devout followers, it was a term that could be so easily translated into political terms by the general populace. And advertising that fact to the world, at that stage, would have been tantamount to disaster.
5. Comment
Now, it’s quite a time of reflection that we have recorded here, both for Jesus—who needed to establish who he was in the eyes of the public—and for the disciples themselves, who were asked to think back and reflect on what they’d been through together.
6. A Time to Look Forward (18-19)
But interestingly, Jesus didn’t leave it there. Because having examined the past, and having established the present, Jesus wanted to move quickly on. Indeed, Jesus wasn’t content to finish the time of reflection simply with a statement of faith. No! He wanted to move on, and he wanted to consider the implications and where those implications would lead them in the future.
And in two short verses, which are perhaps noted more for the controversial way in which they have been interpreted rather than anything else, Jesus outlined some plans that presuppose not only his own death and resurrection but also the presence of the Holy Spirit with his people.
And the basis of those plans were three ideas. Firstly, that God’s church would be established. Secondly, that the church would be guided by the Spirit who would inspire and guide. And, thirdly, that Peter and the disciples would play a major role in the church’s establishment. The church, and its establishment, playing a major role in God’s plans for the future.
7. Comment
So, if we had thought that establishing explicitly who Jesus was, meant that Jesus and the disciples had quite a time of reflection—with the identification of who Jesus really was—then establishing the future, with the beginnings of the church and the role that the disciples would play, made it doubly so.
C. IMPLICATIONS
Which brings us to today. Because the importance of having and making time for reflection, I believe, is well and truly highlighted in this story. And although I would not expect everyone to reach the same spiritual highs as that of Jesus and the disciples (well, not every time anyway), I think that this story can be of great encouragement for us to have our own times of reflection. And I mean that in a number of ways:
1. The Importance of Making Time
Because, firstly, for those who find that there are just not enough hours in the day, and for those who find that those pencilled in times are quickly swallowed up by other things that need urgent attention, then the background to this story can be of great comfort. You’re not alone. Jesus had the same problem. Many times, he tried to get away, but was stopped by some other pressing matter.
However, despite that, the example of Jesus is that he knew the importance of times of reflection, as well as times of prayer, and despite the fact that he wasn’t always successful, he kept up his attempts to be alone with his disciples. And in the end, he was rewarded for his persistence.
And that should be an encouragement for us: not to give up on having times of reflection too.
2. The Purpose of Reflection
Secondly, for those who seem to have direction in life, it’s important to remember the purpose of times of reflection.
Now, Jesus evidently, wanted his disciples to reflect on him; to reflect on who they believed he truly was; and, in doing so, to reflect on their relationship with him. Because, yes, it was important for them to clarify their beliefs. But it was also important for them to grow spiritually. And as a result of this time of reflection the disciples not only grew in their faith but were given purpose and direction.
And the same can be true of us too. Because reflecting on life is one thing; seemingly having all things together is one thing. But what Jesus wants from all of us, is to stop on a regular basis and re-evaluate who we think he is and how our lives fit in to his plan.
3. The Importance of the Future
And thirdly, for those who seem to be forever stuck in the past by keep bringing up the same old issues or holding on to things which are no longer relevant, the fact is that Jesus did not allow the disciples to stay comfortable either in the past or in the present. On the contrary, he pressed them to go onwards to reflect on the future as well. And that is something of real significance.
Jesus used the past to get the disciples to evaluate the present. But only so that he could then go on and give them a glimpse of the future. The purpose behind the time of reflection, then, was to give the disciples something to work towards, something to give them direction and hope.
In other words, without that future the reflection process goes nowhere, except to raise the same old issues over and over again. A situation that is not only extremely unhealthy but as a consequence can be very negative, and destructive, as well.
D. CONCLUSION
The importance of times of reflection, therefore, cannot be understated. It is important in regard to our day to day living, but it is also important in regard to our religious faith—as Jesus and the disciples so ably demonstrated.
As a consequence, we need to remember three things. Firstly, we need to make time and we need to be persistent in making times for reflection. Secondly, our time of reflection should be aimed at bringing clarity and growth in our spiritual lives. And, thirdly, the whole exercise should not leave us in the past or even in the present. On the contrary is should leave us looking to the future and giving us direction and hope.
Posted: 14th November 2022
© 2022, Brian A Curtis
www.brianacurtis.com.au
