On This Rock

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20

Many folks, particularly after Covid and the devastations which occurred around the world, and right here at home, feel like our church is on the rocks, in danger of complete failure. We wring our hands and wonder whether we no longer offer a reason to go to church. Well, the church is changing folks, and yet Jesus never does. The rock on which the church is built is not Peter, but Jesus. And throughout the ages, through violent kings and turbulent politics, we are still a church. We are called to be those who are firmly bound to the rock, a rock unshakeable and unchanging, which will renew us, steady us and bring us new life.

Gracious Creator, you sent us your Messiah

into a conflicted and abusive colonial power

giving new life and hope to the people

and promising that we are secure in the Rock.

We are afraid in these times as things change

we are afraid we are failing in our calls

people have been reluctant to come back

and we are unsure how to change in these times.

Strengthen us for the journey ahead with your spirit

reminds us that we are grounded forever in Jesus

reminds us that the gate of Hades cannot prevail

and You are doing a new thing in these harrowing times. Amen.