Peter: Rock or Stumbling Block?

Last week when preaching on Matthew 16, I made no mention of the erroneous claims of the Papacy. Several congregation members raised concerns with me about the way this passage is commonly misunderstood. So let me address this misunderstanding and in the process offer some insights into the challenges of preaching.

The preacher’s task is an endlessly fascinating and difficult joy. There is no embarrassment about people pointing out the weakness in your effort as there is no preacher who can ultimately succeed in the task. All sermons fail. All preachers can improve. The questions that people ask help the preacher to think out more carefully how to preach the next passage to the people who are committed to his care.

The primary aim of the preacher is to say what the text is saying. Yet, communicating what it is saying, often requires pointing out common misunderstandings that prevent people from hearing it properly. Without negative preaching, positive preaching lacks clarity.

If you believe that Matthew 16 is about Jesus’ commission to Peter to hold the keys of the Church and shepherd the whole flock, then of course you would mention it when preaching this passage. If on the other hand you believe that Jesus was not even thinking about Peter, let alone the bishop of Rome, being the shepherd of a worldwide church, then there is no reason to mention it - unless the congregation’s misunderstanding prevented them from hearing the word. Keep reading