08.30.2026- Pentecost 14 - Pastor Chris

Is there any connection between a rock and a stumbling block? Well, Peter has been called both. 

After Peter has declared Jesus’ identity he is troubled by Jesus’ mission and shares those feelings with Jesus. Jesus promptly rebukes Peter and redirects the focus.

The passage pasted above is from the newest version of the NRSV, the version we use most often at Epiphany, but the previous version, and many others, use stumbling block instead of hindrance. Some of the examples that Jesus uses in his teachings may seem far off and distant 2000 years later, maybe they are difficult to connect with, but this one seems pretty easy. 

What are those things that trip us up? Those things that hinder us and slow us down? In his rebuke Jesus tells Peter that his focus is on things of this world when he needs to be focused on things that are eternal. I can also easily understand this. It is far too easy to get caught up in the temporary, the things that seem great but are here today and gone tomorrow. Maybe I haven’t taken Jesus aside and rebuked him like Peter did, but I have been caught up, far too often, on things that dont matter and when that focus takes away from the larger mission, I may need Jesus to give me a stern talking to as well.