Matthew 16:13-20
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 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.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Lord asked this question in Mark 8:27-29 and in Luke 9:18-20
The ministry of Jesus had taken off with many wonderful signs and wonders being seen, His fame had gone abroad that multitudes of people would gather at his meetings to hear him preach and be healed.
Jesus asked a very important question when he was in the company of his disciples. He wanted to know who people knew him as. He was not confused about his identity, he knew who he was, he wanted to know if people knew him.
Jesus asked his disciples “who do men say that i am? “ The answers Jesus got were varied and different. They answered him saying
- 1. Some say you are John the Baptist
- 2. Some say you are Elijah
- 3. Others say you are Jeremiah
- 4. Some say you are one of the prophets
It is amazing the responses Jesus got. They clearly showed the people did not know him at all.
He was certainly not John the baptist, how could he been John the baptist? It was John who Baptised Jesus. Jesus was not Elijah, Elijah was a prophet that that ascended to heaven many years before Jesus was born on Earth. He was not Jeremiah either. It was clear the people has the wrong identity of Jesus.
Now Jesus wanted to know what his disciples thought. he asked “But who do you say that I am?” Out of twelve disciples one had the right answer. Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” One person had sought to know the man. Peter had made it his business to know the identity of Jesus. By seeking he got This knowledge by divine revelation.
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
To know God requires revelation. Three things that come as a result of revelation.
1. Identity change :
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Your identity changes from nobody to the blessed of the Lord. Simone Bar Jonah (Simon son of Jonah) Peter son of the fisherman. I tell you, you are Peter (a rock)
- ⁃ Abram changed to Abraham ( A father of many nations )
- ⁃ Sarai ( Barren ) – Sarah ( mother of many nations )
- ⁃ Saul ( murderer ) – Paul ( A bond servant of Jesus/ Apostle)
- ⁃ Jacob ( the swindler) – Israel ( the prevailer )
2. Your purpose changes. you become someone God can use, your purpose becomes God’s purpose. He calls you blessed so you become a blessing.
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
When God revealed Himself to Moses as I AM THAT I AM. his purpose changed from being a shepherd of sheep and goats to being a deliverer of God’s people.
3. You receive the keys of the kingdom
Matthew 16:19 (ESV) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Keys give access. An owner of a house without a key will have no access to house. In the kingdom of God ( Heaven and earth ) there are gates that require keys for access. A lack of the right keys will mean you are behind the gate without access.
Jesus is asking; ‘who do you say that i am’?Remember knowing someone requires relationship. Jesus wants you to know him by developing a relationship with Him.
Paul said;
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” – Philippians 3:10-11.
Shalom! Rev. Ron
Virtuous Living 