Peter recounts the story of Cornelius, explaining his actions to the leaders in Jerusalem.
Peter not wanting Jesus to wash his feet — the joy of service and sacrifice in that. Deeper magic.
Though the populace does not yet grasp Jesus’ true identity, in Matthew’s Gospel at least, the disciples are beginning to see. Sometime earlier, the disciples had seen Jesus walk on water in the midst of a storm, provoking them to worship Jesus and say, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:22-36). But now, in a peaceful setting, Jesus asks his disciples directly, “Who do you say that I am?” Perhaps speaking for them all, or perhaps speaking only for himself, Simon Peter states his belief — his confession — that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus responds by blessing Simon, proclaiming that his confession, his understanding that Jesus is the Messiah, is the work of God, who has revealed this to Simon. But … has God revealed everything about Jesus and his vocation to Simon? Evidently not; for not long after this, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must suffer. Peter didn’t see this coming. He didn’t understand, or didn’t what to. Jesus rebuked Simon Peter for being a “stumbling block,” even calling him “Satan” (Matthew 16:21-23).
Like Peter, we also struggle at times to fully realize the titles and identity of Jesus. The challenge is three-fold: understanding, believing, and sharing. The three of these are each unique aspects of following Christ, and each important. How can we learn from Peter’s honest conversations with Jesus and the lesson he learned from Jesus setting the record straight about our focus (16:23)? We quickly see that Jesus cares much more about our focus on the concerns of God, rather than human concerns. This is namely why the Church is important. It helps with this mission that Jesus has set before us and calls us toward. The church is the Holy Spirit-filled community of people who find a key priority in the concerns of God, regardless of what the world offers.
Peter being unable to comprehend a crucified Messiah- How can they not understand? God does not have to make sense to them … nobody understood this coming. This is the humility and pride of all of us.
Jesus does the unthinkable. Walking out to his disciples, on the water of the sea of Galilee, he stuns them with his majesty and well, ability to walk on water. Like the disciples, we would want the same validation and confirmation of identity … I mean, is that really you, Jesus? Comforting, Jesus affirms who he is. Jesus greets us with a word of peace and calmness (14:27). Here we see Peter’s yearning for Jesus, as he suggests to Jesus that if he called him, Peter would walk out to him. And when Jesus said, “Come,” Peter climbed over the side of the boat. When he got out there, for at least a few moments, Peter walked on the surface of the water himself. With his attention fixed on Christ, he participated in the glorious miracle (of walking on water) too. But then the wind hit his face. He became overwhelmed and his faith in Jesus was challenged by fear of circumstance (the wind). When he prioritized the storm over attention on Jesus, he sank like a rock. Thrusting his hand upward, Peter cried out “Save me.” And Jesus did.
But he also rebuked Peter for his “little faith,” oligopistos. Pointedly, Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?” When Peter stepped out of the boat, he took a risk. It was only by taking a risk that he was able to walk on water at all, if even only for a moment. We don’t often think of our faith as being about risk-taking. We live in a country that makes it seem easy, without risk, to be a Christian — but that is an appealing lie. Being a Christian is risk free only so long as we don’t take it too seriously, don’t let our faith truly shape our priorities and agendas. Once we step forward to admit and to proclaim that Jesus is Lord of all creation, much less our own lives, we embark on a journey that is all about taking risks, about stepping out of the boat ourselves.
Jesus is gathering disciples. When Jesus calls out to them and says, “Come and see” — they are introduced to someone who will forever change their lives. By this point, the pair know only what they have learned from John the Baptizer. Recognizing Jesus by his appropriate title, “The Messiah” (John 1:41), the brothers are off to a great start. This encounter gives us a feel for what it would have been like to uncover the best kept secret, as they did in that moment… the (long-awaited) Messiah is HERE. Present. What is the first thing Andrew does? To run (not walk, RUN) to get his brother, Simon (Peter), excitedly telling him the good news. It is “go and get” so Simon can “come and see” for himself. Sometimes in our cultural hustle, we lose sight of the call to “come and see” where God is calling us. The reality remains that Jesus actively and purposely invites us still, today. In this journey through the encounters of Peter and Jesus, let us turn our attention toward the practical faith which we have inherited: we must emulate this invitation and welcome all, just as Jesus did. Be bold. Be ready for the call. Come and see!