Peter thinks “the rock” upon which the church will be built
should have a say so about its foundation and Jesus’ prediction of undergoing
great suffering and death is not a part of Peter’s plan. You would think “and
on the third day be raised” might make a difference but it doesn't. He’s a
Galilean fisherman sailing in uncharted waters. He has witnessed miraculous healing and feeding and the transfiguration and until the wind and waves freaked him
out he even walked on water. When he gets the promotion from “one of the twelve”
to CEO he’s already cashed in the keys of the kingdom and is looking forward to
living large. The rebuke must have come as a surprise with the “blessed are
you” ringing in his ears and while the Gospels do not record his immediate
response Peter’s denial in the courtyard would indicate that the “and on the
third day be raised” still hadn't sunk in. It is true for us as well. We do not wish
sorrow away by the power of positive thinking. We cannot revise reality by
saying the half empty glass is half full. Half full is the same as half empty
in that there is 50 % less to drink. And of course we cannot avoid the
inevitability of death. No. The suffering is great. The death is real. Which is
why only “and on the third day be raised” can address the very things to which
Peter and we ourselves say, “God forbid it, Lord!” The power of the resurrection
is that it is the only thing that can deny death the last word about us which is
why we dare to lose our lives before death can speak a word.
No comments:
Post a Comment