It seems there was a great deal of confusion and diversity of opinions about who Jesus was even within that first community of faith, the first disciples and apostles. Jesus spent several years with the disciples dedicated to preaching, teaching, healing, miracles, and table followships. It must have been a thrilling time to be part of all those experiences. But today we come to a critical turning point in the Gospel. Jesus takes the apostles away from the crowds and begins to review their own personal faith. This is one of those before and after moments in the life of the first faith community.
Many had a good pious or religious foundation and thought that the key and rock to all those experiences with Jesus were simply having a good time, being cured, feeling good in the presence of Jesus. Many had a more political orientation and thought that Jesus was a new religious king in the style of King David. Many thought that the key and the rock came from a repetition of what Israel had experienced in the Old Testament. They were only looking forward to a new prophet, a new John the Baptist, a new Elijah or Jeremiah.
Peter recognizes that Jesus is not just another of long line of good prophets or teachers. Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the savior, the Son of God. That is the key and rock of all our faith and the foundation of the Church.
Yet Peter had much to learn and experience to understand fully the mission of the Christ. Jesus announces the way of the Cross – passion, death and resurrection. Peter recognizes the Christ, but he continues to think in human terms. He encourages Jesus to reject the way of the Cross.
Christian life is not just all the enthusiasm of being close to Jesus nor simply recognizing Jesus as Lord nor all our pious religious practices. All that is very important but all that should lead us to a deeper relationship and understanding of who Jesus is and what our mission is. The true key and rock of Christian life is the Cross that personal unwavering service and self-sacrifice for the good of others.
You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.
Image: https://apologeticsworkshop.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/the-keys-of-the-kingdom/