Illumination is defined as 1: light that comes into a room, that shines on something; 2: knowledge or understanding.1 For our purpose, illumination is the word for the process by which we come to see and think differently.2
Am reminded of a story—a former Undersecretary about to deliver a talk. While holding his cup of coffee, he momentarily looks down on his cup and goes off script. He shares his experience a year ago standing on the same stage. Still as Undersecretary he was flown in by business class, assisted at the airport, escorted in a limousine to his hotel with prior arrangements, shown to his room with a porter in tow; in the morning, again his limousine awaited him, brought to the venue, ushered to the back stage, and offered coffee in fine china. But speaking no longer as Undersecretary, he had to fly coach, go through the airport unassisted, check-out his own luggage, take a taxi to the venue, ask the way to the back stage; when he asks for coffee, he was pointed towards the table with the coffee percolator; so he poured his own coffee in a Styrofoam cup. Lesson? The perks belong to the position; we only deserve a Styrofoam cup.
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” . . . He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.”3 Peter couldn’t have known this truth unless it was revealed to him; at that point, he had illumination. An aha! moment, so to speak. Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Johan!4 (Simon, his old name; Bar Jonah, meaning son of Jonah). Strange reply for a right answer, wouldn’t you agree? Lest he gets puffed-up, perhaps Jesus had to remind Peter who he was and that his answer was not his but came through revelation. It is not about having right answers but understanding the truth. Even more amazing, despite who he was Peter was anointed and consecrated with the leadership mantle. And I tell you, you are Peter [Petros, meaning a stone or a boulder5], and on this rock [petra, meaning a (large mass of ) rock6] I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the key of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound on heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.7
After this revelation and Peter’s elevation, Jesus further reveals that he will have to suffer, face death, and be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him . . . Turning to Peter Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”8 This reprimand done in front of others may be the harshest, if not the most demeaning that someone may receive. Remember, before a Lord of lords and King of kings9 we are nothing!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.10 Jesus came to save us and appointed us to do his work. At the mountain of Galilee, Jesus revealed to them that “All authority in and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”11
Notes:
1. https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/illumination
2. Ortberg, John. Eternity Is Now In Session, p. 125
3. Mathew 16:13-16
4. Matthew 16:17
5. https://biblehub.com/greek/4074.htm; Strong’s Concordance
6. https://biblehub.com/greek/4073.htm; Strong’s Concordance
7. Matthew 16:18-19
8. Matthew 16:22-23
9. Revelations 17:14; 19:16
10. 2 Corinthians 4:7
11. Matthew 28:16-20
