NOTES for Mat 16:18
That is the announcement of the fact which is the foundation of the whole Christian faith. Neither the Theantropic idea, nor the beauty of Jesus’ moral law, but a fact! Christianity is not about theological systems, but about accepting that fact into your life. And the verse we read today is a strong support for embracing the fact of the Resurrection. First of all the news is delivered by an Angel – God’s messenger. That means that the message is of supernatural importance and truthfulness. He begins with “Be not afraid!” These are the words that God uses to begin almost any contact with a human being, showing that his power won’t be turned against the person. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth” – continues the Angel meaning not some abstract concept but a real Man who lived a real life. “Who was crucified,” - without the execution and death, without the free-willsacrifice for my sins Jesus’ story has nothing to do with me and my life.“He is risen” – this is the core of the message. These words strongly proclaim Christ’s victory over death. Over every death, including mine. “He is not here”, he cannot be ‘caught’ anywhere, tomb is not a trap for him. He is free and able to free us. But this is not just a mere phantom. “Behold the place where they laid him”, says the Angel. Everything is real, it happens in space and time – in the normal conditions for our life. Life which from now on is capable to embrace Christ’s Resurrection.