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“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16
Confidence goes a long way when you are trying to make a point on anything. Negotiating, public speaking, interviewing for a job or trying to close a sale – in all of these examples it is very important to have complete confidence in what you are saying. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to defend yourself and the information that you were presenting as fact? In many cases we preface our beliefs with something like, “I believe ….” or “It could be…”, both of which indicate that we are unsure of the following information, but we want to put it out there for discussion. Stating information as fact requires a deep belief and understanding of the surrounding facts and debatable points.
In Matthew 16 we find Jesus asking His disciples pointedly;
“Who do people say I am?”
to which they reply; “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.”
Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”
to which Peter confidently states “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
He is emphatic, pointed, confident and secure in his words. Why was Jesus asking the question? It’s unlikely that Jesus needed to have His ego stroked, and be given the opportunity to brag about His heritage and divinity. No, Jesus was setting the stage for Peter to become the leader of His church. In His sovereignty, God must have known that Peter would jump to the lead in answering this question.
The scriptures go on to tell us that Peter’s words and knowledge to answer this question did not come from himself, but from God through him. This revelation from God was specifically directed through Peter and led to his calling. These 10 words, each profound in their own right, left the lips of Peter as he stood before Jesus and the other disciples, and set in progress a series of events that would forever impact the world. The other disciples standing along the path that day may have had the same thoughts, but God chose to use Peter. God’s message through this man, makes it clear:
“You are the Christ” – make no mistake – the Messiah stands amongst you. This is the One I have promised you through the scriptures
“the Son” – a statement of divinity, He is a prince and heir to the throne of the Almighty
“of the Living God.” – clearly this statement of God as a Living God, contrasts to all of the other Pagan gods of the time, which are dead idols – stones, rocks or temporary. God is the source for life both in the here and now and in the realm of eternity.
Peter makes the first testimony of the Christian church in this statement. Establishing a precedence that will later be used by the apostles and churches for all of time. Profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and receive salvation. God places these words at the right time on the lips of every believer. It is inherent in our being to seek higher authority and purpose in life. That desire, that longing is within our hearts because God has placed it there. Just as he placed it into the hearts of Peter and the other disciples to follow Christ. God places these words upon our lips as we proclaim our salvation and receive His grace. Acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and He will acknowledge you before the Father (Matthew 10:32).
Follow in the path that Peter has established. Do not hide behind your words and fear of man’s reaction, but trust in the Lord to speak through you and be bold and confident in declaring who Jesus Christ is. There are so many today that are trying to be soft on this point and accepting of other ways to God the Father, but the bible is black and white on this point. Peter acknowledged it here, and John, Paul and the others have stated it other ways throughout the scriptures. Most clearly it is captured in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In Matthew 16 we find Jesus asking His disciples pointedly;
“Who do people say I am?”
to which they reply; “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.”
Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”
to which Peter confidently states “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
He is emphatic, pointed, confident and secure in his words. Why was Jesus asking the question? It’s unlikely that Jesus needed to have His ego stroked, and be given the opportunity to brag about His heritage and divinity. No, Jesus was setting the stage for Peter to become the leader of His church. In His sovereignty, God must have known that Peter would jump to the lead in answering this question.
The scriptures go on to tell us that Peter’s words and knowledge to answer this question did not come from himself, but from God through him. This revelation from God was specifically directed through Peter and led to his calling. These 10 words, each profound in their own right, left the lips of Peter as he stood before Jesus and the other disciples, and set in progress a series of events that would forever impact the world. The other disciples standing along the path that day may have had the same thoughts, but God chose to use Peter. God’s message through this man, makes it clear:
“You are the Christ” – make no mistake – the Messiah stands amongst you. This is the One I have promised you through the scriptures
“the Son” – a statement of divinity, He is a prince and heir to the throne of the Almighty
“of the Living God.” – clearly this statement of God as a Living God, contrasts to all of the other Pagan gods of the time, which are dead idols – stones, rocks or temporary. God is the source for life both in the here and now and in the realm of eternity.
Peter makes the first testimony of the Christian church in this statement. Establishing a precedence that will later be used by the apostles and churches for all of time. Profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and receive salvation. God places these words at the right time on the lips of every believer. It is inherent in our being to seek higher authority and purpose in life. That desire, that longing is within our hearts because God has placed it there. Just as he placed it into the hearts of Peter and the other disciples to follow Christ. God places these words upon our lips as we proclaim our salvation and receive His grace. Acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and He will acknowledge you before the Father (Matthew 10:32).
Follow in the path that Peter has established. Do not hide behind your words and fear of man’s reaction, but trust in the Lord to speak through you and be bold and confident in declaring who Jesus Christ is. There are so many today that are trying to be soft on this point and accepting of other ways to God the Father, but the bible is black and white on this point. Peter acknowledged it here, and John, Paul and the others have stated it other ways throughout the scriptures. Most clearly it is captured in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Prayer:Almighty God,
Thank you for speaking through Peter and making it clear that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Help us to put aside our emotions and feelings of being politically correct and boldly stand up with our testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to the Father. You have given us Your Son as our path to salvation, and the promise that if we profess His name and accept Him as Lord and Savior we will rejoice in heaven. We claim hold to that promise and confidently speak it on Your behalf. Let our words fall upon Your ears with joyful praise and honor, In Your name we pray - Amen
Thank you for speaking through Peter and making it clear that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Help us to put aside our emotions and feelings of being politically correct and boldly stand up with our testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to the Father. You have given us Your Son as our path to salvation, and the promise that if we profess His name and accept Him as Lord and Savior we will rejoice in heaven. We claim hold to that promise and confidently speak it on Your behalf. Let our words fall upon Your ears with joyful praise and honor, In Your name we pray - Amen
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