A Horse, A Ship, & A Forrest

Pr. Jasmine Waring

Pentecost 16 September 12, 2021

Peter had a big mouth. I like to say that he was Jesus’ problematic intern. His eagerness and messiness would get him into all kinds of awkward situations. Like the time when he tried to set up a bed-and-breakfast for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus on the Mountain of Transfiguration. I think the writer of James may have heard stories about Peter, and was inspired to write about the untamable power of the tongue. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” This is God’s anointed One we have been waiting for. The One who will judge the wicked, and liberate Israel from the oppression and occupation of the Roman Empire. This was a very loaded and dangerous statement. That’s why in this Gospel, Jesus didn’t give him a hi-five and say, “Ding-ding-ding! You got the right answer!” or clap his hands saying, “You’re doing it, Peter!”. No, instead Jesus might as well of covered Peter’s mouth with his hands. “Shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone.” Jesus knew that his ministry and his divine calling were at odds with those abused their power, and it would inevitably get him killed. Calling Jesus the Messiah was like putting a target on his back. When Peter rebuked him, and told him this violence could not happen, Jesus told him to literally shut-up, the same words he used to silence demons and calm the seas. Peter’s tongue had the power to set into motion events that would change history. Like a bit in the mouth of a Roman soldier’s horse, he could have caused the most powerful military force at the time to capture Jesus before his work was completed. Like the rudder of a great ship, he could steer their collective lives in the wrong direction, counter to the Kingdom of God. Like a flame in a dry forest, Peter’s tongue could have utterly destroy everything in his path. “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Messiah.” After Peter received his rebuke from Jesus, he managed to bite his tongue long enough to see the end result of Jesus’ mission. Jesus went from a target on his back, to rising out of an empty tomb. As we celebrate the 16th Sunday of Pentecost, we remember the day the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples, with tongues of fire. Peter, who couldn’t hold his tongue any longer, proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ. Peter’s tongue was like a bit in a messenger’s horse, delivering the Gospel far and wide. Like the rudder of a ship, called the early church, he was able to help navigate the waters of our chaotic world with the grace and truth of Jesus. Like how a fire opens up pinecones so that its seeds can spread and create new life in a forest, the Holy Sprit is able to bring new life in seemingly desolate spaces. “Who do you say that I am?” You see, how we answer this question reflects our worldview…and our worldview influences how we treat people. For Peter, Jesus was Messiah, the One who would liberate them from oppression. Originally, he thought this was a physical overthrowing of the government. But after the death and resurrection of Jesus, he realized the Jesus was there to spiritually liberate them. So that no matter what powers try to dominate, imprison, or oppress them, they knew that they were already free. Peter’s worldview was that of liberation. “Who do you say that I am?” Is Jesus a prophet, a historical figure, a myth? Is Jesus God in human form, a charismatic cult leader, a businessman? Is Jesus riding a bald eagle, wrapped in an American flag holding an assault riffle and a bag of Doritos? Is Jesus wearing a tie-die tunic gently placing daisies in the barrels of shotguns? “Who do you say that I am?” How we answer this question has the power to change the world around us. Like a bit in a horse’s mouth, like the rudder of a ship, like a flame in a forest…we can do a lot of good, and a lot of harm. I encourage you this week, to think deeply about this question. If Jesus is your savior, what is he saving you from other than hell? If Jesus is your Messiah, the one who liberates you from oppression, what forces are oppressing you, and how can you help liberate others? If Jesus is just a great man who lived an extraordinary life of love, then what does that love mean to you? Our words are powerful. Our tongues and the many other ways we communicate contain life, death, and everything in between. Let’s use this God given power to create a better world for everyone. May your tongue be like a bit in a messenger’s horse, delivering words of peace. May your tongue be like a rudder on the great ship that is your life, and may it navigate you through the many waves and tides this world brings. May your tongue be like a flame blazing through a forest, breaking open seeds and creating new life in desolate places. May you use your tongue to speak up, shout, cry, taste, and sing. And may you have the wisdom to know when to bite it. Amen.