Across the Pastor’s Desk by Ken Jensen

Recently a social scientist was interviewed on public radio. He sought to objectively listen to political pundits on the left and the right. His conclusion? “They are both right.”

Many of us who worship on Sunday will hear Peter’s response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God,” to which Jesus responded, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV).

Jesus employs a play on words as recorded in both the Greek and Aramaic languages of biblical times. “You are Petros (Peter) and on this petra (rock)…” Christians interpret Jesus’ statement differently. Was Jesus’ reply a reference to Peter the man or to Peter’s confession as to who is Jesus? Perhaps we might learn a lesson from the observation of the social scientist: both are right.

In the fledgling Christian community Peter was the leader among the apostles. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost inspired 3,000 to confess Jesus as Lord. Hence, the church, as we know it, was born. The primacy of Peter in the early church has led many to look upon him as the first bishop of Rome, a center of early Christianity.

On the other hand, there are those who interpret “this rock” as Peter’s confession that Jesus is the son of God. Christ, not Peter, is the “rock,” the foundation upon which the church is to be built.

Both traditional interpretations have validity. Peter was the first to confess the truth about Jesus as the Christ. And his confession is also the rock, the foundation upon which Christ continues to build his church.

Our propensity to believe those with whom we fellowship are right and those with whom we disagree are wrong leads to schism in the church and division within families and society. It breeds attitudes of arrogance, intolerance, exclusivity and prejudice when, in reality, we are looking at opposite sides of the same coin.

As followers of “The Way” we are appointed to be healers and reconcilers within our families, congregations and society. In far more situations than we want to admit, those with whom we disagree have valid reasons to support their beliefs. Are we able to admit they may also be right?

 

Ken Jensen a retired ELCA pastor living in Blair, Wis.