In the meantime, Peter gets it right (momentarily, at least) by confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He gets a rare bit of praise from Jesus, but it doesn't last. Jesus tells his disciples how he will die, Peter is offended. Death on a cross is not something the Messiah of God should have to endure! And as fast as he was praised, Peter is rebuked. Called "Satan", of all things. "Get behind me!", Jesus says.
Now everything that Jesus says, everything that Jesus does, everything that happens is in the shadow of his words, that he will he will suffer and be killed and rise on the third day. What does it mean? Do these words change what Jesus will say and do next? Do they change what came before? (
There's a strange story in chapter 17 (okay, there are TWO strange stories, but one of them is well-known.) The transfiguration, if you really think about it, is a really strange story, about how Jesus goes up on some mountains and begins to shine, and looks like Jesus, but different, somehow. Somehow they know that the shining look means that this is Jesus in his glory. And just as this is dawning on them, the shining disappears.
No, the strange story I mean is about paying the temple tax, and finding this shekel in a fish's mouth.
Chapter 18 again contains the admonition that if our hand causes us to sin, we should cut it off. I never noticed until today that in Matthew, Jesus says this twice. It was tough enough to hear the first time.
On the other hand, Jesus tells us that children are greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Those with the least power, who are the most vulnerable, are greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And finally, there is the math problem of forgiveness. 70 times 7. If you are in need of forgiveness, this might be good news. If you have been sinned against, these might be tough words to live by.
Where are you finding good news in Matthew so far?
Where are you finding tough words in Matthew?
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