Pentecost 14

Pentecost 14 “ARE YOU OUT OF LINE?” 8/25 & 28/05

Without looking, how many remember the first 4 words of our Gospel lesson this week? Nearly every translation reads: “From that time on…”(Mt. 16:21) In order to understand what is beginning to happen here, it is essential for us to be clear about what has just happened. In the immediately preceding episode, last week’s Gospel lesson, Jesus had His pivotal conversation with the disciples, asking who they say that He is. Only Peter stepped forward with an answer. That was typical of Peter, for it seems Peter was always speaking up. I once overheard a woman say about her husband, “He’s seldom right, but never in doubt!” Peter has something of that man’s charm.

Peter was always giving voice to what he thought, even though sometimes---as in our Gospel lesson just read---he had to be corrected. In his answer regarding Jesus’ identity, Peter was absolutely correct…”You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:16) That possibility had certainly crossed the minds of the other disciples, it had probably been a topic of their whispered conversations…but, Peter transformed this from speculation to proclamation and Jesus assured him that he was “in line”!

The truth is now out there regarding who and what Jesus is. It’s not public knowledge yet, but it has become common knowledge among the disciples. It is “from that time on” that Jesus began to speak with them candidly, graphically, specifically about what was ahead for Him…Jerusalem was down the line, the climax of the growing opposition to Jesus was down the line; His trial, suffering, and Calvary cross was down the line. Only after the disciples had insight as to Jesus’ identity did Jesus first speak about what to expect down “the line”. He’s the Savior and He will suffer!

These two pieces are inseparable…Jesus knew it and Jesus wants His disciples to know it. His first disciples could not understand suffering and death within their narrow, expectant view of the coming Messiah. “Suffering Servant” was an oxymoron in their understanding. They believed the Messiah would come with pomp, power, and prestige. Only a few of the prophets dared to suggest that the Messiah might suffer and die. Few dared to think that the Messiah would champion the poor and break bread with sinners. No wonder Peter says to Jesus, “God forbid it, Lord. This must never happen to you!”(Mt. 16:22) Jesus’ immediate command to Peter, and to all who, using the hymn words of Martin Luther: “Would wrest the kingdom from your Son and bring to nought all he has done” (LBW #230) is “Get behind me Satan.” (Mt. 16:23)

This is, admittedly, a strong and stern remark from the lips of our Lord. But, I interpret “behind” Jesus as a pretty good place to be! Jesus instructs Peter, and all who are straying from the path, to “get back in line!” If we’re behind Jesus, we’re ready to follow Him wherever He might lead! It is when we position ourselves in front of Jesus and vainly, destructively, futily, and fatally attempt to lead Jesus, that we are in the wrong place. We are invited, yea required, to follow Jesus…not the other way around! We cannot claim Christ as Lord and then “lord” it over Him! We cannot claim Christ as “the Good Shepherd” and expect Him to follow us! By the way, when Peter gets back “in line”, he’s invited to climb the Mt. of Transfiguration, he’s there for the Last Supper, he’s there on Easter evening, and he’s there at Pentecost. Only when we are “in line” are we well-positioned for those times when God is most clearly made manifest!

To get behind Jesus means leaving some things behind us. Peter had to drop that image of a powerful CEO type of Messiah. Peter had to leave behind false dreams of glory he might have had. Peter may have thought he would be the grand marshal at the Palm Sunday parade, riding in the convertible with Jesus…but, he had to get behind Jesus and leave such mis-conceptions behind.

Following Jesus is a simple formula, but it’s far from easy. Like the Pastor in a cartoon, looking out from the pulpit upon the congregation, saying: “This is my fourth sermon on the transforming power of the Gospel! Why do you look like the same old bunch?” The church is infested, perhaps plagued, not with “unbelief,” but with “underbelief.” People believe, but not enough to actually leave the familiar to get “in line” and follow Jesus! People believe, but not enough for it to actually effect our behavior. People believe, but seldom enough to follow Christ in faith and life.

Jesus showed His disciples that “he must go to Jerusalem,” (Mt. 16:21)not because He was being forced nor manipulated, but in order to be who He really was meant to be. If He avoided the cross He could not be the Savior and Redeemer. Peter vehemently attempted to guide Jesus back “in line” as prophet, teacher, miracle worker, and physician. Led by God, Jesus knew what was to come and He invites all His disciples to follow Him. To me, to you, Jesus says, “Get in line!” Amen.