PART 2
WHAT’S MY LINE
TEXT: MATTHEW 16.13-18
INTRODUCTION:
I recall watching reruns of an old games show that was a hit during the 50’s and 60’s. The show was called “What’s my line?” In this game the panel would try to guess the occupation of a contestant by asking yes and no questions. This show is fun to watch even today. It seems that Jesus is doing somewhat the same thing here. He knows He is the Messiah, but is sitting before this panel (the 12 disciples) and are asking them questions to see if they have truly understood who He was.
In our first study we saw Peter called as a follower of Jesus Christ. Now we see as Christ is laying out the mission that He has for them to complete. The mission they were going to encounter was to build His church. Peter and the other disciples have followed him for some time. Now on this particular day Jesus and his disciples go into the area called Caesarea Philippi. This city is located in the northern part of the Israel, just south of Mt. Hermon.
1. WHAT IS THE WORD ON THE STREET?
While Jesus is here in this city, he begins to talk with his disciples. On this particular day as he looks at his disciples, he begins to question them as to who people say that he is. “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13; also in Mark 8.27 and Luke 9.18). What is the word on the street? You have been out there and been mingling with the people. What are they saying about me? What names are you associating with me?
They began to tell him what they were hearing. “And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14;
also in Mark 8.28 and Luke 9.19). Jesus, this is what we have been hearing, some say that you are John the Baptist. Some say that you are Elijah. I have heard others say that they think you are Jeremiah or even one of the prophets risen from the dead.
As you read in Scripture, Herod thought he knew who Jesus was. Mark records the words of Herod. “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.” (Mark 6:14; see also Luke 9.7) Also in verse 16, Herod plainly stated that Jesus was “. . . John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead” (Mark 6:16).
If you recall, Herod had beheaded John the Baptist, at the behest of Herodias. Her daughter danced at the birthday party of Herod. He promised her whatever she wanted, they asked for the head of John the Baptist, and he granted her request. When he hears about Jesus, he honestly thinks it is John the Baptist, risen from the dead.
Some think that He is the Elijah. People of that day felt that Elijah would precede the coming of the Messiah and prepare the way. So it seems that many here are thinking He is the Elijah, preparing the way for Messiah, when in reality John the Baptist was the Elijah prophesied about. He came and prepared the way for Messiah. The thing that many did not know or maybe did not want to accept was that Jesus was the Messiah.
2. WHO DO YOU SAY?
I have heard what others have said, now I want to know what you think? “He saith
unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15; see also Luke 9.20a). So Jesus is sitting here thinking, this is what the people are saying. Jesus may have thought it to be humorous. So they think that I am John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. He probably thinks that the people had missed it completely. I am come as the Messiah, with great miracles
occurring and cannot comprehend who I am.
He then asks His disciples to get their answer. They had walked with Him and heard Him preach to poor. The disciples had seen Him heal and deliver so many people. So I am going to ask you the same question. Who do you think I am? I believe that He was concerned with what they thought. They knew that Messiah was to come. He wanted to know if they had been able to realize that they were walking with the Messiah. I wonder if we would have been able to truly understand who He was, if it had been us that was asked.
At that moment, Peter speaks up and gives Him an answer. He speaks as one who has confidence as to what he was saying. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16; see also Mark 8.29 and Luke 9.20b). For one who was quick to speak, Peter sure gets it right this time. He jumps up and says “I know who you are you, you are Christ, the Messiah.” This is one of those times when Peter makes a profound statement. It seems that God dropped this into his spirit. By seeing Peter answer this statement without any hesitation and with full confidence proved he had contemplated this for some time. He knew what he was saying. Peter knew He was the son of God. It appears here that Peter did not have any doubt in his mind. It seems that he knew it in his spirit, for when he was asked, he did not have to wait and think about it.
Jesus knew that only God could reveal this to them. “And Jesus answered and said
unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). This seemed to prove that Peter had been paying attention to what had been occurring. Peter had truly seen the great miracles and knew
that He was the Son of God. He seemed to grasp what Jesus had been trying to say and do.
Simon, son of Jona, this is not something that is created by the human mind. Instead, it is
something that God has placed in your heart. This is something God has revealed to you. There could have been others in Israel, and probably were, who thought Jesus was the Messiah. One must remember, Israel is monotheistic nation, and they will not just follow anyone who claims to be God. The disciples had seen great things that only God could do. The people believed when Messiah came He would do so with great miracles and great power. When you read the Scripture, you will see on several occasions, where the Pharisees and the Sadducees question Him as to whether or not He is Messiah. On occasion, He tells a story which point directly that He is Messiah and they want to stone Him. You see others will not believe in Him.
Why did Peter and the others conclude that He was the Messiah? These disciples knew who He was for they had been with him, and seen Him do great things. This is something that did not just come by human reasoning or understanding, but by something that God had shown through Jesus Christ. Let us look at some reasons I believe they knew He was the Messiah.
One, they were astonished when He spoke. “And they (the disciples) were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). He spoke as one that had authority and not just as any other teacher. Some even had said that no man has spoken like this man.
Two, the demons knew who He was. As the disciples followed Jesus they saw him
cast out devils. When Jesus encounters a demon possessed person in Mark 1, notice the exchange between Jesus and the demon. “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:23, 24). The demons knew that Jesus was the Holy one of God.
“And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and
suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him” (Mark 1:34). In this passage Jesus would not allow the demons to speak. They knew who He was. Even when the Pharisees and the Sadducees could not grasp that He was Messiah, the demons had no problem knowing. As a result of this Jesus would forbid the demons to even speak. So during all of these encounters the disciples were watching, listening and recording all of this in the minds.
Third, Peter and the disciples had witness many great and wonderful miracles. As Peter made this declaration, he is thinking back of those things which he had seen. One of the first things Peter experienced was in his own family. His mother-in-law lay sick with a Great fever and Jesus came and healed her by just speaking the word. She immediately arose from her bed and began to care for her guests (Matthew 8.14-15; see also Mark 1.29-31, Luke 4.38-39).
As the disciples ride with Jesus across the sea of Galilee, He is asleep. They end up in a terrible storm, and awaken Jesus. He rebukes the winds and waves and all becomes calm (Matthew 8.23-27; see also Mark 4.35-41, Luke 8.22-25). When they arrived on the other side of the sea they encountered the demoniac of Gadara. He was not able to be contained, and lived in a cemetery. Yet when Jesus arrived, the man was delivered (Matthew 8.28-32; see also Mark 5.1-13, Luke 8.26-32). They saw Jesus heal a man on his bed and forgive him of his sins (Matthew 9.2-7; see also Mark 2.1-12, Luke 5.18-26). They had been with Him when he went to the house of Jarius and raised his daughter back to life (Matthew 9.18-25; see also Mark 5.22-43, Luke 8.41-56).
These disciples witnessed Jesus as He is surrounded by over 5000 people and He wants to feed them all (Matthew 14.51-21; see also Mark 6.34-44, Luke 9.12-17, John 6.1-13). Yet all they have are five loaves and two fishes. Jesus takes what they have, breaks it, blesses it and they distributes it to all the people. After everyone eats they collect what is left and have 12 baskets extra. Shortly after this Jesus is in another large crown of over 4000 (Matthew 15.32-38; see also Mark 8.1-9) and He wants to feed them. This time they have seven loaves and a few fish. The same thing occurs, and they now have seven baskets left over. These are things that only God could do.
Fourth, think back to where John the Baptist is in prison. He has had time to sit and think. It appears that he has contemplated whether Jesus really was the Messiah. He sends two of his disciples to Jesus and asks “are you one or do we look for another? (Matthew 11.2-5; see also Luke 7.18-22). Jesus says you go back and tell John what things are occurring and the signs that are following my ministry. Jesus disciples are sitting by and listening to the response of Jesus and hearing the Messianic tone in His reply.
Fifth, possibly one of the greatest things that stuck in Peter’s mind that made him know that Jesus was the Messiah was something that Peter had experienced for himself – he walked on water to Jesus. This story begins when Jesus sends His disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They are out in the middle of the sea when another terrible storm arose. Again, they thought they would sink.
Much to their amazement, they see something approaching the ship, walking on the water. Jesus spoke to them and told them not to be afraid, that it was Him. Upon hearing this, Peter “. . . said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28). One must wonder if Peter was truly thinking about what he was asking to do. The other disciples probably thought that Peter had lost his mind. They are amazed when Jesus replies by saying, “. . . Come . . .” (Matthew 14.29a). Peter then jumps out of the boat and begins to walk on the water and go to Jesus (see Matthew 14:29b).
As Peter walks to Jesus, he then becomes afraid because “. . . the wind (are) boisterous
. . . beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). Peter most likely knew that Jesus was the Messiah, because, not only was Jesus walking on the water, but He was allowing Peter to walk on the water also. He had to have believed in Jesus because he calls out to Him for help. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31). They walked back to the boat. “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased” (Matthew 14:32). When Jesus and Peter return back to the boat everything becomes calm. The winds and waves cease. The disciples look at Jesus and say “. . . of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). I believe that if any one thing had a lasting impact on Peter and his thoughts about Jesus as the Messiah, this would be it. For Peter knew that only God had power over the created world, as he just experienced walking on the water with Jesus.
3. HERE IS YOUR MISSION
I called you to follow and you have been faithful, now I am going to show you the mission I have called you for. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
I think we can look at this verse in several ways. First, I believe we can see that Jesus is telling Peter that He will build the church on this confession that he is Messiah, the son of God. Second, it could be said that Jesus would build His church upon Himself, because He is the stable rock. No man but Jesus is stable enough to raise up a church. The true foundation for the church is Jesus Christ.
Third, Peter and the other disciples would be the ones who would push this church forward. Peter seemed to live a roller-coaster life. He would have his moments of greatness and then periods of great weakness. All one has to do is recall Matthew 14, Peter had great power to walk on the Sea but then began to sink. Peter may have seen to be somewhat unstable but Jesus knew what he was calling him to become. You will be the one to go out and help build my church. Jesus was going to return to heaven and was leaving them here to fulfill this mission.
As one looks into the history of the church, it is Peter who was the first to stand and preach after Pentecost. He was also the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He and the other disciples went forth and proclaimed Jesus Christ. Peter was on a mission, and he allowed God to use him. He was going to share with the world that Jesus was Messiah. Peter would eventually see that great catch of fish that Jesus promised.
CONCLUSION:
Everyone had waited for Messiah. Now He has been in their midst for some time. Many people saw the same things that the disciples saw, yet they do not understand or refuse to understand that Jesus was Messiah. It seems that only the disciples truly believed. Jesus wanted them to know and fully understand that He was the one to come. Only the 12 would seem to follow all the way.
These disciples had some great experiences. As a result of this they truly knew who He was. For they knew that only God could do the things which Jesus was doing. Do we, today, truly know who Jesus is? For He is the same today as he was then. He is able to heal, deliver and provide for any of our needs.
We need to show the world that Jesus was and is the Messiah. Let us fully grasp this and proclaim it to the world. We have the hope for all mankind and we must lead them to it. God has given us the same mission as unto the disciples, go tell the world that Jesus is Messiah. Our mission is to go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. Jesus is that one that we had waited so long for. Let us be busy about the work in which God has sent us to do.
