A Watershed Revelation

Matthew 16:13-20

Then Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus had just given a strong warning to His disciples to beware of the teaching of the religious leaders who were going in an opposite direction from Him. He then asked them, “Who do people say that I, the Son of Man, am?” It was confusing, because everyone seemed to have a different answer, naming many of the Old Testament prophets as their final answer. Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Today the same question is before us.

In our Scripture, the disciples answered Jesus, saying that men say that He was one of the Old Testament prophets, who had come back from the dead. Those prophets had pointed into the future, to the day that Jesus would come and save them from their sins. Peter had been given a wondrous vision from God, answering His question saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Did you hear that? His testimony called Him the Christ, the Son of the LIVING GOD TODAY! In the church that Peter now rejoiced in, there would not be just a hope or a pointing to someday in the future. NO! Peter’s testimony was solid on a Rock of stability today. Jesus said that this new life and confession of Christ, IS the foundation on which He builds His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. His church today does not throw out the Old Testament prophets, but as a confluence of rivers flow into one, so do their testimonies. All the Old Testament prophets pointed to Jesus, because they had been given the revelation that only Jesus and His cleansing blood would make us new. They longed for this day where the religious system, with all the rituals and control, would cease. That’s why, on the cross, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” God had provided.

Peter’s testimony now calls Jesus the Christ for a very important reason. As Christ, He gives us power to live today to the glory of God. His word, revealed by His Holy Spirit, told Peter that He would give him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. You see, keys lock and keys open. In His church, there is a lot of locking and opening that is needed. Doors of our forgiven sins need to be locked. Doors to worship God need to be opened. As we receive this new life, we also must receive the gift of His power, to set us free to joy in our salvation and worship our living God. Jesus wants us to come to Him, to be His church empowered by His Holy Spirit, where from us will flow rivers of living water that come from the source – Our Living God. This Christmas, be forgiven, empowered, and set free to worship Jesus Christ.

~ Ruth Ann Ward