“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.” Matthew 16:16-18

The photo I have included for today’s devotion is “our church” — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lemoyne. When you think of your church, what images come to your mind? The first image that came to my mind when I say “my church” is the actual building — but that isn’t really the church. The Church, the Church of Jesus Christ, consists of people, not just flat stone and mortar — the members of our local church is what makes a church a church.

In our verse today, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after asking the question “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answers correctly that Jesus is “the Christ (Messiah/Savior), the Son of the Living God.” I love that Jesus tells Peter that no one revealed that to him, but G-d. No one can be “talked into” becoming a Christian; if we could, then we could also be talked out of it. Faith goes beyond intellect. We are also not automatically born a Christian. G-d reveals “Truth” to us, in Jesus Christ, and then says: “Do not doubt; just believe.” It is dependent upon the Holy Spirit to work upon the believer through the Word and the Sacraments.

But Jesus goes on to say “Upon this rock my church will be built”…upon this truth that Peter confesses. The church of Jesus is built like a building with many stones. Take a look at some buildings today and notice the “stones”. During this first century stones would have been cut by hand with no two exactly the same. Each would be unique and fit together — and sometimes they are set together like a hand in a glove. Just the same, each one of us are individually unique in our personalities, our backgrounds, our life experiences, our spiritual gifting, etc. Yet G-d chooses to connect us together as G-d’s temple – Christ’s church – the body of believers uniquely fit together for the ministry of the Church.

On this Eve of Christmas, remember to “Let your light shine before others in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Pastor Dave