Sermon Index
September 3, 2017
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 16:21–28 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” |
The Bible story for today is Matthew 16:21–28. In last weeks Bible Story, Peter had declared his faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. And Jesus said that on the rock of that confession, he would build his church. In today’s section, Jesus speaks about what it means to be the Messiah. It means suffering, dying on the cross and rising on the third day. Peter did not understand this and wanted to protect Jesus from such danger. But Peter in doing so was doing the work of the devil. The devil would not want Jesus to die on the cross and win salvation for us. The devil wants us all to die in our sins and go to hell. So, if Peter were to protect Jesus, Peter would be doing the work of the devil. Therefore Jesus warned Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Just like Peter, our story is that we too often become a hindrance to Jesus. We also become like Satan. Jesus tells us to get behind him, to get out of his way. This happens when we become a hindrance to the cross of Jesus. This can happen in a at least three ways. First, when we do not proclaim the gospel or won’t let others do it, or don’t empower others to do it. Second, when we are embarrassed by the cross. We might be ashamed that our wonderful Jesus had to suffer so badly and be crucified. We want God’s love and kindness and mercy, but do not want the cross. Jesus told the disciples that they too would have to take up their crosses and follow Jesus. That is when it is good to be behind Jesus. But at times, we may be like Peter and want to deny Jesus. And thirdly, we become a hindrance to Jesus when we prevent the Gospel from being power in our lives and in the lives of others. Why did Jesus die on the cross? It was to forgive sin. Jesus gave the power and authority to forgive sins to the church. That authority is called the Office of the Keys. The work of the church is to forgive sin. The work of the individual Christian is also to forgive sin.
Our story is like Peter’s story when we do let the power of the cross become part of our life story. When we do not forgive others, we are being a hindrance to the Gospel. If we get angry at someone and they say that something that we think is absolutely unforgivable, then it is denying the power of the cross. How can we want forgiveness from God if we are not willing to forgive someone else? If we do not forgive, we are doing the work of Satan. Hate and grudges are satanic. And we know where Satan would lead us.
Our story is like Peter’s story, that even though he was a hindrance, even though he denied Jesus three times: Jesus forgave him. After the resurrection, Jesus forgave him three times; giving him the mission of the church, saying, Feed my sheep. This becomes our story, too. Jesus forgives us not only three times, not just 70 times 7, but uncountable times. He forgives us because he loves us. He forgives us because he does not want us to be separated from him. He wants us close behind him, following him.
Sometimes it is hard to forgive other people. We have to swallow our pride. We have to control our lust for revenge and punishment. When we forgive, something dies inside us. If sin and hate die, that is great. It took the death of Jesus to forgive us. The wrath of God toward us died. Eternal punishment for sin was cancelled, pardoned. His death became life. His life became our life. In the process of forgiveness, something must die in our hearts, but it gives life to something too. Love and trust and friendship are born. That is why forgiveness is so important. That is why forgiveness is the central teaching of the church. Jesus died to forgive our sins, and we live to forgive the trespasses of others.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church