Sermon A: 15 A Pent: Mt 16:20

On this 15th Sunday after Pentecost for August 24, 2008, the three readings are Isaiah 51:1-6, Romans 11:33-12:8 and Matthew 16:13-20. The passage chosen for preaching is Matthew 16:20, “Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.”

Perhaps this saying of Jesus ought to go on top of the entrance door to every church? I think not. What could possibly have moved Jesus to say such a statement? This passage is a great example of why the Bible should not be interpreted literalistically. The caution against such interpretation is found in the great theme of the Reformation; namely, Scripture interprets Scripture.

As previous blogs have pointed out, one problem with English translations is that the reader may not realize that the same Greek word may have two or more meanings such as the words for law, Gospel, Israel, etc. In this case, the problem revolves around the word “Christ” which is Greek for the Hebrew “Messiah” which means, “the anointed one.”

Jesus was aware of how people regarded the coming of the Messiah. At the feeding of the 5,000, at His hometown Nazareth sermon, and listening to the disciples’ misperceptions, it was clear that for many in Judaism, the Messiah was the one who would be the bread king as well as getting rid of the Roman occupation forces.

Using Scripture interprets Scripture, even Jesus speaks of those who will refer to Him as the Christ and Lord but He will not know them. Such people would include Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and other cults that speak of Jesus but do not believe Him as the Bible reveals.

The sermon can be used to ask those in the pew whether they truly regard Him as Lord and Savior or do they have a false view. The comfort is that even Peter did not understand the work of the Messiah properly for in the next verse Jesus has to say to him, “Get Thee behind Me Satan!” in light of his protestations of the need for Jesus to die in Jerusalem.

The assurance of our salvation is not in our precise and inerrant understanding of who Jesus really is but in our baptism through which Jesus promises us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. At times members of the congregation imagine that they are saved by good works. Other times they think they are saved because of their perfect grasp of doctrine.

No, salvation is based on the cross of Christ and the benefits He won for us which we receive through the faith given to us by the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we need not look to our faith to figure out whether it is sufficient for salvation. For what saves is the true meaning of the Christ; namely, that He died for your sin because you are unable to pay one iota toward the punishment. Believe that? You are saved by grace, through faith on account of Jesus Christ.