13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)
Thoughts: What matters is not what the populace is saying- what everyone else is saying. What matters is what we believe. The belief in Christ is done individually, and once done it unites us corporately to Christ- as a part of His body; and to other believers- the Church. The profession and confession of Peter is others may say you are a prophet- but I say you are the Messiah the Son of the Living God.
There are two parts of this confession that are important. Jesus is seen as the Messiah- the anointed one (the Christ in Greek). The Messiah was supposed to come and bless the people with healing, with help, with mercy, and call the people back to God. Certainly Jesus did all of that. He taught as no one else taught and healed which was a huge blessing. His resurrection is a blessing in that it gives us hope after death.
The other part is "the Son of the Living God" (uios tou theou tou zontos) Later the High Priest would ask, :"Tell us if you are the Christ the Son of God." (Mt. 26:63). Jesus sometimes called himself, "The Son of Man" emphasizing that His essence is human. But in calling and allowing Himself to be called "The Son of God" emphasizes that His essence is divine. He is both human and divine. The Messiah stands between humanity and divinity to unite them to each other. He is not the Son of a dying or dead God- but a living God. That anything is alive is a testimony to the liveliness of God. It is not that He died giving birth. Rather He lives now and continually- the living (zontos) One- sustaining all things- giving breath to the chemicals making life. If God withdrew His hand the balance of nature would be out of whack. Jesus is here to show God cares and cares even today. He was not just the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses- He is the living God now who answers prayers. Jesus shows God's care and answered prayer by healing the sick and welcoming the outcast. Our task is to let His anointing flow over us. This means to let His love, mercy, grace, holiness, and power overflow us and heal us from sin and evil. But our task is also to believe that the God who blesses is living and caring right now. We should not be ashamed to join Peter in making that confession.
There are two parts of this confession that are important. Jesus is seen as the Messiah- the anointed one (the Christ in Greek). The Messiah was supposed to come and bless the people with healing, with help, with mercy, and call the people back to God. Certainly Jesus did all of that. He taught as no one else taught and healed which was a huge blessing. His resurrection is a blessing in that it gives us hope after death.
The other part is "the Son of the Living God" (uios tou theou tou zontos) Later the High Priest would ask, :"Tell us if you are the Christ the Son of God." (Mt. 26:63). Jesus sometimes called himself, "The Son of Man" emphasizing that His essence is human. But in calling and allowing Himself to be called "The Son of God" emphasizes that His essence is divine. He is both human and divine. The Messiah stands between humanity and divinity to unite them to each other. He is not the Son of a dying or dead God- but a living God. That anything is alive is a testimony to the liveliness of God. It is not that He died giving birth. Rather He lives now and continually- the living (zontos) One- sustaining all things- giving breath to the chemicals making life. If God withdrew His hand the balance of nature would be out of whack. Jesus is here to show God cares and cares even today. He was not just the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses- He is the living God now who answers prayers. Jesus shows God's care and answered prayer by healing the sick and welcoming the outcast. Our task is to let His anointing flow over us. This means to let His love, mercy, grace, holiness, and power overflow us and heal us from sin and evil. But our task is also to believe that the God who blesses is living and caring right now. We should not be ashamed to join Peter in making that confession.
Prayer: Lord, you answer prayer- than you. You are alive and you show your love in so many ways. Help me to witness to this in my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment