Jesus the Rock, Simon the Rock

Part I

One of the beautiful imageries we have in scripture is of Jesus being our Rock. Israel is quenched while fainting of thirst in the dry, hot desert from The Rock. The everlasting covenant of Israel is signed by God Himself on The Rock. Moses is protected by the cleft in The Rock. Over and over God is called a rock or stone. He is called by this title more than the title of Redeemer or Savior!

King David calls him Rock:

“For who is God, but the LORD ? And who is a rock, except our God.” Ps.18:31 

Prophet Isaiah calls him Rock:

“You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.” Isaiah 30:29 NAS

Prophet Habakkuk calls him Rock:

“Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One ? We will not die. You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge ; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct.” Hab. 1:12 NAS

See: Ex. 17:6; 33:22; Num. 20:8-12; Deu. 8:15; 32:4,13-15, 18, 30-31, 37; I Sam. 2:2; 22:2-3, 32, 47; 23: 3; Ps. 18:2, 46; 19:14; 28:1; 31:2-3; 40:2, 9; 62: 2, 6-7; 71:3; 78:35; 81:16; 89:26; 92:15; 94:22, 95:1; 144:1. Isa. 17:10; 26:4, 30:29. 

This title of Jesus as The Rock is one of strength, endurance, power and is used in the sense that of a stone foundation/cornerstone.  (I Kings 5:17; 7:9-10; Isa. 28:16; Zech. 10:4, Luke 6:28-29; Matt. 21:42, Eph. 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4-8; Rev. 21:14, 19.) The title of Rock is one of the Old Testaments most significant titles that prophesy of the coming Messiah. That is why when we look at Matthew 16 we have to keep this title in mind.

In Matthew 16, the setting is right outside the city of Cesarea Phillippi about twenty-five miles south of the Sea of Galilee. With the backdrop of the huge sheared cliffs at the base of Mount Hermon, this area was famous for the abundant water that gushed from inside the cliffs and eventually fed the Jordan River. It is here where Jesus asked his disciples who He was. 

It was Simon who replied to Jesus. “You are the Christ, Son of the living God.”

Here, this disciple is not simply saying that Jesus is God’s son, but he is acknowledging Jesus’ title as Messiah. “Christ” is not a name but a title. Simon Peter is saying “You, Jesus, are the fulfillment of the Jewish Savior and are the anointed one.” Jesus responds to Simon’s recognition by giving him a title also:

Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

 

Simon is not being renamed in the same way the Old Testament fathers of God’s people were like Abraham from Abram or Israel from Jacob. Peter is not a last name or a new Christianized/Hellenized name, like the Saul to Paul situation. (Interestingly, there is no evidence that up until that time Kephas, the Aramaic word Jesus actually used, was a name. It’s definition is “rock.” The word is then translated into Greek as Peter. [1]) Jesus was crowning Simon with a title, just as Simon had done with Him. Throughout the New Testament the preeminent Apostle is hailed as Simon Peter--his name followed by his title, like Jesus Christ. 

Think about that. Jesus was giving Peter the same title He had been referred to throughout the Old Testament. Jesus was handing the title over to Peter, not giving it up, but sharing it with him as a new, eternal, powerful cornerstone and foundation of His Kingdom--the Rock in which living water flows. He is not making him equal to God, of course. No Christian could accept that. However, Jesus is setting Peter as head of a mighty people of God, in the same category as Moses.

When Christians suggest that Peter was not really the preeminent Apostle, they simply are not aware that each time the disciples spoke the name Peter or Simon Peter they were fully cognizant of the fact that they were using a title. His name went into their minds as Simon the Rock on which the church would be founded. 

Footnote:

¹ Many Christians assume Jesus was dubbing Peter as “the little rock” because the translation into Greek from the original Aramaic demands a feminine gender. But there was no difference in wording in the original language. Jesus said that Simon was Kephas/Cephas and on this Kephas/Cephas I will build my kingdom or church community. 

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Part II

[Interesting Aside Note: notice in verse 20, that Jesus warns the disciples that they should tell no one His own title of the “Christ” but he made no restrictions upon Simon’s title.] 

Matthew 16: 21 From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again. 22 And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it far from thee, this shall not be unto thee. 23 Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men. 

Almost immediately after crowning Simon with the title, the Rock, Jesus calls him Satan. This seems to be a bit of an overreaction to Peter not understanding the Messianic prophecies, right? Perhaps the point here is that Jesus DID just distinguish Simon as his chief apostle. Jesus was known for his tenderness with the worst of sinners and saving his most biting criticisms for his leaders. 

As the newly appointed leader of God’s people and foundation of the church, Peter is tempting Jesus just like Satan had in the desert. Peter is wanting Jesus to rely on his own human understanding and power. Peter thought it counterintuitive, unreasonable and against Israel’s understanding of prophecy for the Messiah, the Christ to suffer and die.

In no uncertain terms, Jesus needed Peter to realize that his scriptural assumptions of prophecy were from the depths of hell. As leader of the Kingdom of Heaven, Peter had no rights to derive conclusions from his own infinitesimal perspective. Peter must learn full submission and obedience to God who alone is trustworthy.

Here is a poignant foreshadowing of both Luther and all other Reformers who looked to their own understanding of what scripture says. Perhaps that is why Peter later will warn us not to try and interpret prophecy ourselves:

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. I Peter 1:19-21.

After rebuking Peter, Jesus softens and explains to his disciples the cost of this new election to the Kingdom: 

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works. Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:24-28.

Jesus is not jumping subject. Though he is speaking to Peter, he is also addressing all his disciples. Following Christ and taking up your cross will mean putting to death your own desires, opinions, rights and what seems reasonable to you. Yet when the decision is made to die to self, your life is saved and you will stand on the Rock, both of Jesus and Peter!

The Wizard of OZ and Catholicism

Okay, allow me to get weird here for a minute.

The last time I saw “The Wizard of Oz” I thought, “Hey, this is the Catholic Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Dorothy’s unhappy with her life and wants to go “over the rainbow” or heaven, maybe?

After her baptism---her trial by fire in the tornado, she reaches the other side... “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Catholics believe that you enter a new Kingdom, the Kingdom of God when you are baptized. It is then you begin your journey to eternal life---Like Dorothy--the journey to the Emerald City on the Yellow Brick Road.

For Catholics, you are never alone. You have your angels, your sponsors, your church family helping you along with the journey-- learning with you and maturing you in these ways:

The scarecrow: his brain or theology....

The Tin Man: a correct heart....

The Lion: learning courage!

All go with you on the journey. Even though you are no longer in your old life, you are in the new, you still have not yet arrived at God.

All during the process you are followed by demons who discourage you and try to burn you, make you sleep, keep knowledge from you.... 

When they arrive at the Emerald City they have to “freshen up” so they can look perfect before seeing the Great and Mighty OZ----think---purgatory anyone?

Yeah, yeah... the comparison breaks down as OZ turns out to be a fake and the whole point of the movie is to get BACK to her life on earth. Oh well, it still seems a bit like the writer had an underlying religious message--doubt it was Catholic, though.

On "DEEP IN SCRIPTURE" EWTN RADIO, Wed. Jan 20th

For those who are interested, I will be speaking with Marcus Grodi on the Deep In Scriptures radio program this next Wednesday, January 20th. It will be live at 2 pm eastern time on a local EWTN station. You can also hear an archived version at this following website (as well as hearing it live.)

http://www.deepinscripture.com/

Please pray that God will be glorified and that His tender love, mercy and forgiveness with show through in every word we say. And that in the end, truth will burst forth for those who are seeking it!
God bless you,
Teresa Beem

Bishop Vasa: Those who profess to love God, but back abortion, are liars - Catholic Online

Bishop Vasa: Those who profess to love God, but back abortion, are liars - Catholic Online

Happy Catholic New Year!

Did you know that for Catholics the New Year began with Advent?

Four Sundays BEFORE Christmas with the beginning of the Advent season or "arrival" the New Year begins. Then for Catholics, Christmas is not a day but a season that begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until the celebration of the Baptism of Christ which is celebrated on the 13th of January. (Although I heard a bishop on EWTN's Journey Home that said this year it is until February 2? If anyone can clear that up for me.... I would appreciate it.)

I just learned that the Twelve Days of Christmas is actually the days between Christmas day and the Feast of Epiphany.

There is just so much to know about Catholics and their traditions and history. There is a surprise around every corner. And I just LOVE that.....

The Second Advent as a Catholic

When I was a Seventh-day Adventist, I was under the impression that no other denominations were preaching the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (you know, we were the ones who focused on the Sabbath and the great Apocalypse of prophecy). When I left that church I found that the Baptists and Assembly of God as well as many fundamentalist and charismatic churches were very active in looking for signs of the last days and dissecting Revelation's prophecies.

Now that I am a Catholic, I realize that the Bible gives us a command about proclaiming the good news of God's second coming. It isn't having Revelation Seminars. It isn't passing prophecy pamphlets out or writing fictional accounts of what might happen. Let's read what Paul said that Jesus personally told him about how to proclaim God's Second Advent:

I Corinthians 11: 23-26: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

When we as His Body come together, unified in spirit and in truth, partake of His body and blood, we ARE proclaiming both our Blessed Lord's Sacrifice and Redemption as well as the hope that Jesus is coming again! It is the sign that He is returning. Our love for one another in the unity of the cup and bread is our way of showing the world God's infinite love in the past and that in the future we will once again be with our Lord both in body and spirit.

The Catholic church does indeed preach about the Second Coming of Jesus in doctrines and in occasional sermons, but we also proclaim it every time we partake of the Eucharist each week or every day. It is the way we mark time until His coming again.

Advent Season

Everything I do now that I am a Catholic is tinged with a surreal mystery. Though I have always loved Christmas time, now it is different. When I watch "Bells of St. Mary" and "It's a Wonderful Life" I take to the movies a surprising and new perspective.

There is such a fascinating dance between the ethereal spirituality of Catholic mysticism and their devotion to science and reason. It is a fascinating marriage of the sublime and philosophical that meet in Catholic doctrine. I bring this into the Advent season this year.

God made incarnate. Christ with us. Jesus as baby, Jesus as man, Jesus as God. The stars He created on the breath of His voice, now bow and contemplate the mystery of God becoming His creation.

I love decorating the green tree. I love hearing Bing Crosby sing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and the crisp, invigorating cool air. The delicious and woodsy smells in my home of fresh cut pine and cranberry and clove bring a welling of deep thanksgiving.

What I look forward to most, what has become and instant tradition (another seeming contradictions of Catholicism!) for us is attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. This year there will be an organ concert and the choir will lead in carols, then the mass. We will behold the Christ-child in the protective arms of his mommie, coming to us as a vulnerable baby and yet who is Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And He shall reign for EVER and EVER!! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

I am drinking God's Coffee!

Just when I didn't think it could get any better....

Catholic monks perfected Champagne,
Catholic monks were world renown for beer,

And now I am sipping COFFEE made by Carmelite Monks from Wyoming.

My online purchase came to me with greetings in bold letters, "Hello, Praise be Jesus Christ!"

So, here I am. I'm sitting in front of my computer reading the catechism 843 that talks with so much love and hope for our dearest fellow humans who Buddhists and Hindus.... who are "search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since He gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved."

AND sipping my coffee from the monks.... I can see my dearest Mt. Rainier peeking ever so slightly out of the clouds into the mid-afternoon rays. My husband is smiling and all I find joy in knowing that I am in the Kingdom of God, the Catholic church. Where the coffee is very good.

If you are interested in helping the monks make a living at making great coffee, the company is found online and it is called Mystic Monks Coffee www.mysticmonkcoffee.com. (NO I do not make any money from advertising!)