Living in coronavirusworld 141: Who is Jesus to you?

8/18

Be kind

La biblioteque est ouvert

Our neighborhood library is finally open. While much of the city had English/Spanish signs, note ours is English/French recognizing us as the  center of French West Africans in New York. The Mali community center is right down the street . The Senegal  consulate is one street north. And French African restaurants all around, And French speaking mosques And the Malcolm Shabazz street market. And street vendors on every block.  That’s our neighborhood.

Tonight’s Bible Study looks at Matthew 16: 13-20.  Otherwise known as Peter’s declaration. Jesus wants to know who people say he is.  Some say Elijah.  Others a prophet, or Jeremiah. Jesus refers to himself as the “son of man.” This could be the final judge, as in Daniel 7: 13-14. Or one who must suffer. (Mark 16:21) Or in the original Aramaic, simply as a way to speak of yourself as a human being, as in how we speak of Jesus as , “the human one”.Like in Exodus 2:1, “ben Adam.” 90 times in Ezekiel, as in “O mortal.” 

As for Elijah, Jesus’ miracles recall Elijah. (As John the Baptist’s clothing recalls Elijah.) 

As for prophet, it could be:

*Miracle worker (like Elijah)

*Lawgiver (Like Moses)

*Oracle, one who has visions

* a popular charismatic

As for Jeremiah, there is a possible prediction of Jeremiah by Moses (Deuteronomy 18: 15)

Peter answers the question, representing us. He calls Jesus the anointed one. A phrase commonly used for kings and priests. And “son of the living God.” (As at Jesus’ baptism, when God calls Jesus “my son.”) And again, a phrase used commonly for all kings. Jesus being called God’s son is a function of role, not relationship.  Peter has come to know this by God, not by “flesh and blood,” human beings. 

115th street

In return, Jesus calls Peter, Cephus (Aramaic), Petros (Greek) in other words, an endearing  nickname, Rocky.  And the powers of Hades (death) will not prevail. Jesus grants Peter the keys. The power to bind to loose. That is, the forgiveness of sins. (26: 28). Exorcism (12:29) And excommunication. 18:17). After this, Jesus tells them to “tell no one.”  The keys  we see on the Vatican flag. And until this day, all bishops are believed to have received their call in direct line from Peter. 

This story is also in Mark 8: 27-30 much shorter and simpler. And Luke 9:18-21, where the issue of suffering is brought to the center stage. 

Jill Duffield has made three significant points about this passage.  First, what  we say about who Jesus is to us reveals a lot about who we are. What we say shifts and changes as we age and grow.  Fact is, we will never fully know.

When Peter tells Jesus who he is, Jesus tells Peter who he is. Peter knows this not because he’s special, or insightful. But because God reveled it to him. In her words, Peter rose to an occasion he didn’t see coming. 

We have to ask that question who is Jesus to us?

What Marsha sees in all this is grace. And Jesus is calling us to do what we know we need to do, even when we don’t want to, but will do any way. Leila reflects on how we are called to be Jesus, to  live a Jesus life. And Berik sees Jesus explaining what it is we are supposed to be. As the teacher of the 12 apostles, he tells us how to live. Even in our modern society. Each time has its own problems. We look around us, see clearly what’s going on. And still have hope,

Hope. Tonight begins the Democratic convention, Bernie Sanders will speak. One who truly brings hope. And Michelle Obama. Former first lady.  I will watch carefully.