2023-1-18 Confession of St. Peter

 2023-1-18 Confession of St. Peter            Acts 4:8-13; 2 Peter 1:1-15; Mark 8:27-9:1

In the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Holy Spirit decided long ago that we needed to know more about some saints than others. A number of people in the Bible make confession of God, but we do not know much about them.  For example, Stephen makes public confession of Christ.  But, we know little about him.  We know of his dedication to service and devotion to the LORD. In Acts, he makes a candid and eloquent confession of his faith before he is martyred by a mob throwing stones. Stephen is an exemplar of the faith and an inspiration to us all. Yet, we know very little about him. 

The Apostle Peter, on the other hand, we know a fair bit about him. We know that he sometimes speaks before he thinks; that he puts himself forward, but does not have the ability to follow through; and that he occasionally makes promises that he cannot keep.  Peter is a man who struggles with faith in his dear friend and master Jesus. 

In the gospel lesson, as Jesus is preparing the disciples for what the Christ must endure at the hands of men, Peter could not stand the words that Jesus was speaking.  He argued with Jesus. He refused to listen to the one that he, moments ago, had confessed as the Christ.  So strong was his denial of what the Savior must do, that Jesus rebuked Peter with those horrible words, “Get behind me, Satan!”  

We recall that when Jesus walked on water, Peter wanted too as well. At Jesus’ invitation, Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward the Lord.  But, then his faith faltered and he sank.  Then, as Jesus, grabbed hold of Peter, Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  

Mark 14 relays how Peter, right after the Passover meal, right after the Institution of the Lord’s Supper, when Jesus said that all will fall away, Peter declared with absolute conviction, “Even through they all fall away, I will not!”  But, a few hours later, when Peter is in the court yard trying to learn what is happening to Jesus, he ends up denying Jesus three times.  Peter meant every word he said to Jesus as he was saying it, but he could not keep his promise to the Lord.

As we gather tonight to observe the Confession of St. Peter, we are aware that Peter is a fallen man who felt bitterly his failure for keeping his trust firmly in Jesus.  He was filled with contrition and he repented.  And, the Lord forgave him.  

At the time of his confession that Jesus is the Christ, Peter is a stone in the rough.  He needs polishing.  He needs finishing.  He does not yet fully understand what the Christ is going to do. Nor does he yet grasp the fuller implications of Jesus’ gift of salvation.  Peter’s polishing and finish come with Pentecost and the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s fuller understanding of the mystery of Christ and His redemption of the world happens during the Risen Lord’s resurrection appearances. Jesus opened up the Scriptures to Peter and the other disciples and explained to them why the Christ must suffer, die, and be risen on the third day.  

After Pentecost, Peter has many opportunities in the course of his life to make a public confession of Jesus as the crucified and risen Christ. He speaks with the authority of having talked and walked with the Lord.  He speaks with the courage and confidence that come from the Holy Spirit. 

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has seen fit to allow us to witness the transformation of Peter. In Acts 4, Peter confesses Christ as he is called to account for healing a lame man.  Peter applies Psalm 118:22 to Jesus.  Jesus is the stone that was rejected by the builders, but despite that rejection, Jesus is now the cornerstone of the Church.  He declares before the council that after the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is salvation is in no other name.  Jesus and his cross is the key to salvation.  Faith in Jesus, the crucified and risen Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, faith in this Jesus is the beginning and end of our Christian life.  

Any encounter with Christ brings a transformation.  All of the Apostles were changed.  So were all who heard Jesus teach and preach or received his gifts of healing or who spent time in his presence.  This continues to be the case.  Through the church, Christ is present in the world. Faith in Christ is the beginning of a lengthy process of change. Peter speaks to this change in his second letter.  Faith in Christ delivers us from the forces of Satan and the world’s corruption. Christ’s death and resurrection have defeated the powers of sin, death and the devil.  When we receive Christ, we receive his gifts of forgiveness, peace, and love.  

We cannot speak of St. Peter’s confession without considering briefly our own confession of Christ.  Our confession of Christ begins here in the safety and companionship of family and friends.  Together, we learn what Christ has done for us and the scope of His salvation for the world.  We learn and practice here in church.  Then, as we mix and mingle out in the world with our family, friends, and in our workplaces and communities, where ever we might have a conversation about our faith, the Holy Spirit provides opportunities for our confession to be more public.  It will fall upon ears that may or may not be ready to receive it.  We do as God leads us knowing that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the church and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.     

We may not feel prepared to make public confession of Jesus as the Christ.  But, we remember Peter.  Was he truly prepared the first time?  No, he wasn’t. Yet, the Lord provided instruction and most importantly forgiveness and love for Peter.  He became an effective witness to Christ.  

When the time comes to speak of our faith before others, we go forward with confidence because Jesus has died on the cross for us, we have faith in Him as our Savior, and we have all the instruction we need from catechesis to Bible reading.  And, Jesus promises us that he and the Holy Spirit will provide the words for us. So that we are confessing from the vantage point of forgiveness, love, and obedience.   

In the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.