In last week’s sermon you learned that God values diversity of cultures. Through Baptism God accepts each individual with all of their uniqueness. The Magi were culturally, linguistically, and ethnically different than Jesus and the Jewish people. They presented themselves to Jesus; which is the first step of baptism. This week we learn about Simon Peter and the call to profess faith.
Lacking Boundaries
Simon Peter was a leader among the 12 disciples. He was kind of a “manly man.” He was a fisherman and an entrepreneur. He likely left his home with his brother Andrew to start a fishing business in the sea of Galilee, which was a growth industry at the time. Peter was a little rough around the edges, and you could say that he lacked personal boundaries. We know this because of the things he said and did in the Bible.
One time Jesus was telling Peter and the other disciples that he would need to go to Jerusalem. He would be arrested, beaten, suffer, and die on a cross. This didn’t make much sense to Peter. So Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him. He told Jesus that this, “shall never happen.” Peter crossed a boundary of what a disciple or student should say and act like with their teacher. Peter’s attempted rebuke earned him the famous quoted scorn from Jesus, “Get behind me satan!” (Matthew 16:23)
“Get Behind Me Satan” also happens to be the title of one of my favorite albums from the rock group, “The White Stripes.” I first started listening to the White Stripes when I had graduated from college and was out living on my own for the first time. During those years I shared apartments with roommates. I learned just how common it was for people to have boundary issues. One time I shared a “Jack and Jill” bathroom with a roommate. That is, we each had our own entrance. I made the mistake of trying to alter the decorations in this bathroom. Near war almost broke out! This same roommate said I had boundary issues. At least that’s what he wrote in his diary. I’m kidding! I would never read someone’s diary. But I did learn that boundaries can make or break a relationship.
No Sense of Self
One reason why people struggle with boundaries is because they struggle with their sense of self. A person without a clear understanding of who they are, is more apt to cross into the space of someone else. They have a hard time detecting where they end and another person begins. This is enmeshment, or codependency.
Peter struggled with his sense of self and being codependent. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times. Peter said that would never happen! He was so sure that he was Jesus’ right hand man. Peter caved. He flip flopped to get along with whoever was questioning him. He avoided conflict and lacked a sense of self. (Matthew 26:69-75)
Baptism
Baptism is a solution and a help for people who lack a sense of self or boundaries. Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus went down to the water to be baptized by his cousin John. John would have tried to prevent him. John was calling people to repent from unfruitful behavior. But behavior wasn’t a problem for Jesus. So why get baptized?
Jesus’ identity was affirmed in baptism. As he came up out of the water, “a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”’ Matthew 3:17. One of the benefits of baptism is an affirmation and clarification of your identity. You are more than the ID on a driver’s license or passport. In baptism you are identified publicly as an adopted child of God the almighty creator of heaven and earth. You are claimed and named! So what can you do to be baptized?
Restores the Self
Peter is remarkable because for every time he did something that was off, he redeems himself by doing something great. He was the first of the twelve disciples to profess faith in Jesus. One day Jesus asked his disciples:
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”
Matthew 16:15-18
Notice that an instant after Peter professes his faith, Jesus bestows on him a new identity. His name changes from Simon to Peter. And he is giving a calling: to be the rock on which the church is built. Wow!
The feast day of Saint Peter’s confession is this Saturday January 18. He is thought to be the first bishop of the Christian church, and the first human being to profess faith in Jesus Christ. He is also the first of the twelve disciples to witness the resurrection. Notice I said, “first of the twelve” and not the first. In that respect he followed after at least Mary and Mary Magdalene. So what can you do to affirm your sense of self in Baptism?
Profess Your Faith
There are eight steps to the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The first is to present yourself before God as the Magi did to the Christ child. And as you do every Sunday when you come to the altar. The second step is to profess your faith. This can be as simple as saying, “I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior.” Traditionally we utilize the three great ecumenical creeds: Apostles, Athanasian, and Nicene.
After Jesus had resurrected Peter stepped up his game. He grew in his abilities of preaching, teaching, healing, and most importantly: being secure in himself. He was called upon to preach to a Roman Centurion named Cornelius in Joppa. A Roman Centurion had a similar kind of stature as how we think of Navy SEALs. They were the best of the best, and people who struck fear in their enemies. The last time Peter was faced with Roman questioners he denied Jesus. This time he professed his faith:
“Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Acts 10:34
Cornelius and his household became the first Gentile or non-Jewish people who were baptized and followed Christ. God’s grace worked through Peter’s profession of faith to stir up faith in Cornelius. In Cornelius baptism we see the development of the same acceptance and love we witnessed by the Magi presenting themselves to Christ.
Profess your faith! It will strengthen you as a person and call others to faith too. Present yourself to God just the way you are, and God will forgive you and adopt you as a beloved child. Amen.
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