“Listen to him!”
Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:
What did I like about today’s passage?
When I’m looking for a book I can trust, I’ll be persuaded about the author’s authority by a good endorsement from someone else. What does God say about Jesus? “Listen to him!” Best. Endorsement. Ever.
I’m struck by Matthew’s story being about more than Jesus here, though. Peter is grabbing my attention because I want to relate to him. Last time we saw that God gave him a revelation and Jesus gave him a new identity and purpose. Peter must be top of the class!
But he clearly needs to keep listening to Jesus. Right after being made Jesus’ rock, at the end of chapter 16 he misunderstood so badly what Jesus had to do that “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” In chapters 17 and 18, Peter seems to lead the disciples in asking a bunch of odd questions that show a need for lots more revelation. As their failed attempts to drive out a demon showed, they had, in Jesus’ words, “so little faith.”
Thankfully, Jesus had plenty more to share which is inspiring to listen to and life-changing to believe and do. I love his assurance that God is like a remarkably loving and daring shepherd who will not let one wandering sheep be an acceptable loss out of concern for the rest of his flock. What sheep is he talking about? Not just some poor unfortunate souls that haven’t yet joined our flock, but us, when we get stuff as wrong as Peter sometimes did.
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
God loves and provides for us. He doesn't just call us to try harder - he empowers us to live differently by bringing us closer to him and forgiving us. As a result, he also expects us to listen to Jesus and adopt the same attitude to forgiveness that Jesus talks about – we have freely received forgiveness, so we should freely give it too. In this way, God wants to transform us and our relationships under his kingdom authority.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I need to listen to Jesus, particularly about forgiveness. Have I forgotten how much I have needed and received this from God? I hope not, but I am still aware that I can make epic mistakes in his presence and let my heart become misshaped by a lack of forgiveness for others. I want to be defined by Jesus, not by people and situations which have made me feel wronged. So I want to ask God and listen for anything I need to let go or do differently to live out of forgiveness rather than grudges or judgements against others.
Who am I going to share this with?
I don’t know how this will work out in practice exactly – I’ll keep listening for guidance and pray with friends about that.