Words from the Rock
Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! You didn’t discover this on your own. It was shown to you by my Father in heaven. So I will call you Peter, which means “a rock.” On this rock I will build my church, and death itself will not have any power over it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth. But he will not allow anything that you don’t allow.
Matthew 16:17–19 CEV
This is quite a promise that Jesus has just given to Simon Peter. It’s in response to a conversation Jesus just had with his disciples. He asked them what people were saying about him, and they answered that some people thought he was John the Baptist, others thought he was one of the old prophets such as Elijah or Jeremiah. Then Jesus asked his disciples what they thought: “What about you? . . . Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16:15 NIV).
It was Peter’s answer that blew Jesus away: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16 NIV). And that’s when Jesus gives Peter that amazing blessing. He also points out that Peter’s answer is correct only because God had revealed it to him. Jesus knows that because God had revealed these things, Peter is truly the best choice to lead what would soon become the first church.
This must have been a happy day for Peter. His faith truly did seem rock solid. For Jesus to commend him like that . . . well, Peter must have been just about bursting with pride. Yet the day would come when Peter would deny Jesus—not just once but three times. And still Jesus would build his church on Peter.
Jesus wants all his followers to know who he is. If he came to you today and asked you, “Who am I?” how would you answer? Do you understand that your answer matters? Would you call him your friend or just a casual acquaintance? Would you say he’s a nice guy or the Son of God? Would you describe him as your Lord and Savior or just a godly man who once walked the earth? Who is he to you?
My Prayer
Dear God,
Please show me who you are in my life. Son of God, Lord, Savior, reveal to me who you are and help me to proclaim it.
Amen.
Final Word
We know that Jesus Christ the Son of God has come and has shown us the true God. And because of Jesus, we now belong to the true God who gives eternal life.
1 John 5:20 CEV
Stone for the Journey
When I know who Jesus is, I will know who I am.