Sunday 23rd August 2026

Reading: Matthew 16: 13-20
Peter`s Confession of Christ

For our services today we looked at this somewhat controversial bible passage. It has been given various interpretations, but I aimed to uncover what the original meaning was, and so how it might speak to us today.
Jesus went with the disciples in Caesarea Philippi to get away from the crowds and to teach them important truths. It was largely Gentile territory, so they would have been able to escape the crowds.

Jesus began by asking the disciples who the people said that the Son of Man was. Various ideas were put forward, before Jesus then asked “Who do you say that I am”. This is an important question for each one of us. If we are to be truly Christs followers, we need to know for ourselves who he is. Peter replied by saying “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. He could see through faith that Jesus was indeed Gods son.

Jesus then went on to say you are Peter or rock and on this rock I will build my church. The rock in question is arguably that trust that Peter had that Jesus was the messiah. The passage reminds us that all Christians are linked together by their common trust in Christ, and there is that wonderful truth that nothing will ultimately prevail over his Church.

Jesus said to Peter “I give you the keys to the kingdom” and later at Pentecost this was demonstrated when Peter opened wide the door to faith both to the Jews and to the Gentile Cornelius.

Then Jesus spoke about things being bound on earth and heaven and being loosed on earth and heaven. The apostles had a role in interpreting the way that salvation should be preached to all nations. There were certain things they were to forbid and other things that they were to loose or allow in terms of the life of faith. (At the Council of Jerusalem, they agreed that gentile converts need not be subject to circumcision). In discharging this role of binding and loosing they have no successors. Therefore, the creed rightly says “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church..”

May we be blessed as we see Jesus for who he is, and reflect on our part in the worldwide church and accept the teachings handed down to us.

Every blessing

Rev`d Theo Corney