From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Foundation of The Church – Part 2

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church.”
                                (Matthew 16:18a)

Christ did not make the foundation for the church Peter or his papal successors. That is clear from what happened shortly after the teaching here. When the apostles asked Him who is the greatest in the kingdom, He placed a small child before them and said, “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). Had the church’s foundation been the greatness of Peter alone, the apostles would not have asked who is the greatest. Or, if the Twelve had forgotten a previous teaching about Peter as the special rock of the church, Jesus would have reminded them and likely rebuked them for not remembering (Matthew 14:31; John 14:9).

Not long after this, James and John’s mother asked that her sons have the main places of honor in Christ’s future kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21). Such a request would not have been made had these disciples understood that Peter already was Jesus’ most favored apostle as head of His church on earth. Our Lord also did not use this instance of misunderstanding to correct the brothers about the nature of Peter’s supremacy.

Peter himself never claimed a superior rank in the church but simply called himself a “fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1) and “a bond-servant” (2 Peter 1:1) and warned fellow elders not to lord it over the sheep (1 Peter 5:3). Like all saints, Peter looked for the glory that is yet “to be revealed . . . When the Chief Shepherd appears” (v. 1,4).

Ask Yourself:
Why is Jesus’ servanthood model such a difficult one for us to grasp, much less to live? If this truth were to really take root in you, what changes could you begin making this week, this month, to orient your life toward greater service and sacrifice . . .toward God’s style of greatness?