Matthew 16:13-20 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, August 23.
Peter got it! Even before the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in the next Chapter, Peter got that Jesus is the one sent, the deliverer from sin and death, occupation and oppression.
Some thought it was still about the old way, the old prophets and the Old Covenant. Peter got that Jesus is the fulfiller of Law and Prophets with the promised Messiah.
Jesus is the one sent to deliver us from empire rules and values, and Jesus offered the Kingdom values of the New Covenant in response, to counter those of empire.
Jesus is the one sent to bring God's Kingdom values to life among a people who have been marginalized, exploited, disenfranchised, tortured and killed for the greed, lust for power and desire for status of a few. Jesus is the one who calls for New Rules based on Agape and Grace, so that Shalom may be re-established and maintained in the world. Jesus is the one who teaches, commands and models Kingdom values in the face of empire values, Kingdom of God Law in the face of the laws of empire. Jesus still does.
There are people who are again (still) held down, back and out by our political and economic systems.
There are people who are again (still) marginalized, disenfranchised and exploited by empire.
There are people who are again (still) misled by corrupt religious and political leaders.
There are people who are again (still) occupied and oppressed by powers and principalities.
The rampant greed, lust for power and desire for status above others has again dominated the political, economic and social systems in the world, and particularly in this nation. The Gospel has been ignored and false teachings designed to normalize the greed, lust for power and desire for personal status above others have replaced the Kingdom values of Agape and Grace. Empire values are pervasive in every aspect of life today.
It is time, as in the days of Josiah, for us to unbury the Word from the church coffers and apply the Gospel of Jesus to the mission of the church in the world.
It is time, as in the days of Luther, for us to recognized the abject corruption of this age in the church and strive to repent toward faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus.
It is time, as in the days of Jesus, for us to stop worrying about our own, personal salvation and live the Kingdom values of Agape and Grace in every aspect of our society. The church's mission is to follow Jesus - what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, as we have that in the Gospels, in every aspect of of life, in the face of empire values.
We cannot serve two masters.
Jesus, Jesus is Savior. But Jesus is also Messiah, the one sent, Christ, to deliver us from sin and death, and the occupation and oppression of empire values, here and now in this part of God's Kingdom. It is time to proclaim Jesus as deliverer from empire and follow Jesus. Now. Clearly, now.
Pastor Jamie
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