" Teach me " Open book: Peter’s posture toward Jesus is that of an open book. He is eager to learn from Jesus all he can glean. In this week’s text, he wants to know all about the nature of forgiveness and grace.
" I'm fixed upon it " | T H E F O U R T H S U N DAY I N L E N T Fermata: In music, the fermata symbol represents a prolonged note or a pause. After learning Jesus would suffer and die, Peter rebukes Christ saying, “this must never happen to you” (Matt. 16:22). Jesus rebukes Peter right back, knowing he cannot yield on his journey of nonviolence and love. The fermata represents how Peter is fixed on how he wants things to go, but Jesus calls him to stop and get behind him. The symbol also looks like an empty tomb, which is foreshadowed in this story.
" Praise the mount " | T H E T H I R D S U N DAY I N L E N T Mountain peak: Peter has a moment of clarity and professes Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus affirms Peter’s proclamation by saying Peter is the rock upon which he will build his church and that Peter will be given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19). A mountain peak represents this moment of clarity and affirmation along Peter’s wandering journey.
Rescue me from danger " | T H E S E C O N D S U N DAY I N L E N T Choppy water: Peter walks out in faith on the choppy waters, and Jesus saves him from sinking. The choppy water lines represent the turbulent waters we all walk through on our journey of faith
" Jesus sought me " | T H E F I R S T S U N DAY I N L E N T Fish: Jesus instructs Peter to cast his nets after an unsuccessful day of fishing, and he catches an absurd abundance of fish. Peter doesn’t feel worthy of this gift, but Jesus calls him to be a fisher of people all the same. The fish represents God’s abundant provision of sustenance and grace, as well as Peter’s shift in vocation and calling—from fisher of fish to fisher of people.
Sunday, January 21. Dr. Brian Kaylor will be our guest preacher in both services. Brian, president & editor-in-chief of Word&Way, is a Baptist minister with a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Missouri. Brian has preached several times at First Baptist and we are excited to welcome him back! He will be preaching on Psalm 62:5-12. I invite you to spend some time with the passage this weekend and notice what stands out to you. If you want, you can reply to this email and let me know!
