Key Verse: Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,
the son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16
Just as Jesus asked the blind man yesterday, "Do you
see anything?" (Mark 8:23C), today, He asks His disciples, "Who do
people say I am?" (Mark 8:27B) Just as Jesus knew what was going on with
the blind man, He knew what was being said about Him. Gossip always finds its
way back to its victim. Jesus may have been searching them to know how aware
they were of those around them. This would be an important part of fulfilling
their mission in the future. It's always a good thing to pay attention and take
in as much information about your surroundings as possible.
"Some say that You are John the Baptist." Well,
this would have been an amazing feat, since John had been a contemporary of
Jesus and had been beheaded.
"Some say You are Elijah." Well, Elijah was
prophesied to be the forerunner of the Christ.
"Some say that You are Jeremiah." Ah, the Weeping
Prophet, who had taken on many religious leaders in his day. He was the last
and boldest prophet before the exile. Jesus did seem to talk about coming disaster
often, so this would be understandable.
Now, is the moment of truth for Him and for the disciples.
They have been walking and serving for some time now, probably more than a year
and perhaps two. He has camped with them, walked with them, eaten with them, ministered
with them and talked with them. Now, He wants them to show if they still see with
fuzziness, as if they were seeing men “walking around like trees,” or if they are finally beginning to see clearly.
"But what about you? Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16)
Once again, Matthew gives credit where credit is due by
recording Peter's answer most completely. Jesus is not just, "the
Christ," the anointed one, a man. Jesus is the anointed one who is the
direct connection with the One and only living God Himself. This makes Him
Messiah, the one they have been waiting for. All Israel's hopes rest in Him.
With Peter's confession, he is clearly saying, "The wait is over. The
Kingdom of God is at hand through the Anointed One."
Once again, Peter steps out of the boat ahead of the others.
Once again, Jesus praises him for his statement of faith. "Blessed are
you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my
Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, (which means rock) and on
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome
it." (Matthew 16:18-19)
Wow! What if we were that bold for Jesus? How would we be
rewarded if we were bold for Christ? God longs to be gracious. What blessings
would we receive if we could shake off our timidity and step out as well? And note, Jesus said the "gates" of Hades will not overcome. Gates are a defensive part of the wall of a fortress. Gates are the focal point of an army laying siege to a city on the defensive. Hades is holed up. The Church is on the attack! This does call for boldness! And we have reason to rejoice in a good hope! In Christ, the victory is surely ours!
Hymn: "Hail to the Lord's Anointed"
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