Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV)
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
In the text that I've chosen this morning Jesus question's his followers, asking them who do they think he really is. In simpler terms Jesus is asking them why have they decided to follow him. In turn I ask you, why do you have faith and consider yourself a follower of God?
Jesus is testing the spiritual maturity and readiness of his disciples seeking if they are ready to become apostles. When was the last time your spiritual maturity and readiness was tested?
Seemingly satisfied with Peters answer, in verse 19, Jesus makes a covenant that whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever is freed on earth will be freed in heaven. Wow! What does all of this mean and why would Jesus make this covenant?
Today's text has many layers to it, therefore I thought it best to cover the questions today in-order to challenge ourselves. Tomorrow I will add more insight and prayerfully make the text more understandable to each of us.
Take time today to think on these questions and how they relate to you.
Be Well, Love Pastor Sirchester
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