Thought for the day – Tuesday 5 May

Dear All

Part of my new daily routine is to get up in the morning, usually, around 6.00 am, to begin writing my daily thoughts. It’s been, and is, an interesting and enjoyable exercise from my point of view and I happy to continue doing this for as long as is necessary. It might be that it will be something that I will continue to do beyond the current lockdown, as there are some of our people not able to get out, lockdown or not, and it’s a means of keeping in daily contact with them.

For today, I want you to come with me to a geography class. It was back in the early to mid-80s in a college lesson that I committed to memory the three types of rock structure that we can see around just about everywhere. The three types of rock are: Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic. The material and composition of the rock are what gives it its particular distinction and suitability, or otherwise, for use as a building material. For example ‘sandstone’ is a sedimentary rock, compressed sand, quartz and other sediments formed over billions, millions of years, igneous is volcanic rock and granite is an example of such. Metamorphic rock is a geological and chemical mixture to put it simply.

There are many famous rocks to be found all over our planet and you might wish to make a list this morning after I have mentioned a few. On the river Clyde, we can see quite clearly Dumbarton Rock. Further down the coast, we come across Ailsa Craig, and on the East coast, we find the Bass Rock near North Berwick. All of these rocks are similar and are known as ‘volcanic plugs’ formed when bubbling lava erupted and cooled. A bit like tablet bubbling away in a pot on your cooker. Ayers Rock or Uluru as it is now called is a well recognised and famous ‘lump’.

The rock for consideration this morning is not one of the three types mentioned but rather a person or what that person said in response to Jesus’ question. This important dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, and in particular Peter, has been and still is the cause for much theological debate. Was Peter the first Pope? Based on one interpretation he is. Based on an entirely different interpretation he is not. Jesus taught in his parable that it was the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man built his on sand. Was Peter a suitable foundation?

Jesus asked his disciples a direct question and various answers were given. This is not surprising as at the time of Jesus people had their opinions as we do, and lots of people were making all sorts of promises and claims. Jesus was one voice among many. Not everyone followed Jesus. There were many followers of different teachers. It is not to be thought that Jesus and his disciples were unique in that sense. Think of the various cults and their brand of beliefs that we encounter today.

Jesus asked a question. That same question is as relevant now as it was back then. I am asking you to do a little bit of homework today. Peter was also known as Cephas. There is a play on words in our text. Peter, Petra, Petros and Cephas are all in the mix. I would be very happy to hear about your ‘discoveries’.

Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone.

Today I ask you to think/meditate on these things.

God bless you!

Jim

JBoag@churchofscotland.org.uk

MATTHEW 16: 13-20

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“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, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.