City Life Starter

Written by Efe Abbe

The Word

Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.”

Matthew 16:13-30 (NASB)

Reflection

Matthew records a private conversation Jesus had with his disciples where He is wanting to know who the crowds and his closest followers believe He is. The disciples gave a smattering of answers about the crowd’s opinion of Jesus but as Jesus dialed up the intensity, only Peter stepped up to say “You are the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then gave insight to his disciples the source of Peter’s understanding of His identity and God’s purpose in giving him the revelation. Jesus told Peter (born Simon), “…you are [now] Peter (rock) and on this Rock (who I am as the Father has revealed to you), I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Nothing changed Peter’s certainty of knowing his Savior and God’s purpose to use him. Even after denying knowing Jesus, it was because Peter really knew his Savior that he leapt out of a boat upon seeing the resurrected Lord (John 21:7). Peter would go on to lead the early church after Jesus’ ascension, in the power of God’s Spirit and according to church tradition, and be martyred for his faith in Jesus.

Application

Today, the world still has its own lens to define Jesus and the disciples of Jesus need to definitely answer the question Jesus asked the disciples. For us to really know Jesus, we can only receive it as a gift from God, just as Peter was given. Knowing Jesus changes our identity and gives us purpose in God’s Kingdom. Not only does this have personal consequences but also consequences for a watching yet-to-believe world. When in humility we receive God’s revelation of Jesus by His Word and His Spirit, we cannot remain the same.

God conforms us into the likeness of His Son, who while on earth, had an unshakable trust in His Heavenly Father even to His death on a cross for us sinners – God’s purpose for sending Him.

Knowing Jesus is to trust Him.

God ultimately raised Jesus from death and that life-giving power is available to the church today through intimately knowing and trusting Him. The power of God brings victory over sin, the enemy, and spiritual death not just for the benefit of the church but also for our families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. to see Jesus in His people and place their trust in Him.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for delighting in revealing Yourself to all who will humbly receive Your Son Jesus. This was Your will from the beginning when You promised that You would defeat the enemy, sin, and death for us through Him. Please help us to humbly receive Him and the gift of knowing Him. Amen.