7th Aug 2025 – Thursday of the 18th week in Ord. Time

Num 20:1-13; Ps 95; Mt 16:13-23

The passage from Numbers begins by narrating the death of Miriam at Kadesh. Miriam seems important enough for the writer to mention not just the place of her death but also that it was the “first month” (v.1). this is also a chapter of the death of Israel’s leaders – Moses is condemned to die without entering the Promised Land (vv 12-13) and Aaron’s death will close the chapter (vv. 22-29)

In response to the people’s complaining, Moses and Aaron “fell on their faces” before the Lord, possibly a sign of prayer & surrender, but also perhaps put of frustration whilst the people grumble and complaint, Moses and Aaron know that the solution to their problems lies with the Lord alone. We then come across a theological motif of the “rock” from which water is to gush forth at Moses’ command. Biblical scholars debate about what exactly was Moses’ sin; whether it was disobeying God in striking the rock instead of commanding it or whether he took matters into his own hands in striking the rock. While the text is unclear on the exact reason, what is clear is that God was displeased with Moses for striking the rock rather than commanding it to give out water. Paul reflecting of this scene, interprets this rock as Christ (1Cor 10:4). This interpretation affords us a new dimension into understanding the passage. Christ the rock had already been scourged and pierced and didn’t need to undergo another scourging. All that was needed was to appeal to him. For “anyone who is thirsty” is welcomed to come to Jesus “to drink”. And he who believes will experience “streams of living water” flowing from within them (Cf Jn 7:37-38). The water as John points out is symbolic of the Spirit (Jn 7:39). It is from the pierced side of Christ that Blood and water flows out (Jn 19:34)

Thus, looking at the passage through the eyes of the Church and the NT, one is able to gain greater insight into the text of Numbers. Moses’ sin then is much deeper than just mere disobedience: it is really his failure to grasp the deeper meaning of God’s command, namely, that the Rock was Christ and that the water is the gift of the Spirit. But why should Moses be condemned for not perceiving the deeper realities? Precisely because he was a prophet who spoke face to face with God (Num 12:7-8). Moses thus acted like the old generation of Israel who failed to perceive God’s action and deeper intentions in the signs He gave. Faith is a correct response to God’s Word irrespective of whether that word is one of promise or of command. The lesson then remains clear: God’s grace and His calling is never a ground for complacency. By being careless, we can easily forego the privileges of our calling and thereby our contribution to the purposes of God.

Jesus in the gospel takes his disciples to the northernmost region of Israel, as far away from Jerusalem and his opponents as possible. In this section (Chs 16:13-19:2), Jesus will give his disciples important revelations about himself and what lay ahead. Today’s reading deals with the revelation of who Jesus is. He arrives at Caesarea Philippi that lay 25 miles north of Galilee at the foothills of Mt. Hermon. This forms an excellent backdrop for what we will encounter in the gospel passage, namely, Simon being renamed as Peter which means “Rock”.

Jesus begins his instruction by asking a general question about himself, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The disciples echo different opinions about the person of Jesus. Some, including Herod, would thing he is John the Baptist (Mt 14:2), others would think of Jesus as the fulfilment of the Elijah prophecy, thus making Jesus the forerunner to the Messiah (Mal 4:5-6; Mt 3:1-3; 11:9-10). The same aspect of being the precursor of the Messiah is echoed in the Jeremiah prophecy, for it was believed that Jeremiah who had hidden the Ark would restore it before the coming of the Messiah (2 Macc 2:1-8). But then Jesus makes his next question even sharper as he addresses the disciples, “Who do YOU (plural) say I am?” Peter responds then as the spokesperson of the group using two important terms, “the Christ” and “Son of the living God”. The “Christ” referred to the Messiah that the OT prophesied, the hope of Israel (Mt 1:1). The Jews referred to God as the living God as contrasted with the idols of the pagans. By referring to Jesus as the “Son of the Living God”, Peter leaves no doubt about Jesus’ parentage and which God was His Father. Peter expressed belief that Jesus was both Messiah and God. That also made him the king of the long awaited Davidic descendant (2Sam 7:14; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 5:2). The title of “Son of the Living God” would also have a special resonance considering the place where they were was Caesarea Philippi. This had a shrine to the Pagan god Pan (Canaanite Baal) and living sacrifices were offered at this place. Built of the foothills of Mt. Hermon, this was the site of a huge rock where the shrine was located. At the back of the rock was a deep pool of water believed to be bottomless and so often referred to as “the entrance to the netherworld” or “the gates of hell / the underworld”.

This imagery must be borne in mind as we listen to what Jesus has to say about Peter. He calls him a “Rock” and will build his church on this rock. Jesus is thus referring to himself as the new Solomon who built the Temple on Rock.  Jesus then is the wise man who builds his house on rock (cf7:24-27). Jesus build his “Church” on the rock of Peter’s confession of him as Messiah and Son of the Living God. The “gates of the underworld” would not prevail against this church in the context of the backdrop mentioned earlier, would refer to the realm of death. Death (and consequently evil) would not have power over the Church because Jesus is the Son of the LIVING GOD. and therefore death would never have power of life since life came from the Living God.

Jesus also gives Peter the “Keys” of the kingdom. The keys were a sign of authority. In the Jewish Monarchy, the keys were given to the steward / Prime Minister  (Isa 22:15,22) of the kingdom who was second in command only to the King. In the kings absence, it was the steward who took decisions on behalf of the king. We see Peter making pathbreaking decisions in the Early Church. He opens the doors of the church for Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8) and Gentiles (Acts 10, 15). The terms “binding and loosing” in this context refer to legislative and judicial authority that came with the “Keys”

The second part of the Gospel passage deals with Jesus foretelling his Passion, Death and resurrection. Peter begins to remonstrate with him. No doubt Peter who just acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, meant well as he remonstrated with Jesus. But Peter’s concept of Messiahship needed maturity and deeper understanding. Looking at it from his perspective, Peter could never understand the full meaning of the Messiah he had proclaimed Jesus to be. Jesus upbraids Peter by calling him “Satan” which means “accuser” or “a stumbling block”.

 God’s ways requires not just a relationship with God but essentially thinking from God’s perspective. Paul will refer to this as putting on “the mind of Christ” (1Cor 2:14-16; Rom 12:2; Phil 2:5). Moses who spoke with God face to face, in a moment of weakness, failed to think as God did. Peter, in his zealousness to protect Jesus, failed to see the plan of God. we too can easily fall into this trap. What should we do? The Psalmist pitches in with an answer, “O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.”

This Scripture reflection is an initiative of the Ministry of the Word group – laity trained & commissioned to spread the Word of God.