HOST: Michael Whitworth
SPONSOR: Logos Bible Software
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.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
This passage marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry and in His relationship with the apostles. It also reveals to us the vital importance of our belief in and confession of Jesus Christ. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” It was a simple question that led to a great confession of faith. After giving several different ideas that men had about who Jesus was, Peter says with confidence, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is that great truth confessed by Peter that Jesus says would be the foundation of His church. It is that same confession of faith that each believer is asked to make before becoming a child of God. There is power in that confession. If one does not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, then he will not take advantage of the saving power of Jesus’ shed blood, and therefore cannot have the forgiveness and salvation that He offers. If one is not willing to make that confession of faith in Christ, then he, as we have read recently, will be denied by Christ before the Father. Oh, that we all might be fully convinced of Christ and have the courage to confess Him before men.
Why is our willingness to confess Christ so important?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
