WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? Revised.
Matthew 16:13-20.
1. Jesus asked, “WHO DO MEN SAY THAT I THE SON OF MAN AM?” (Matthew 16:13).
Throughout the Gospels our Lord’s favourite name for Himself is: “the Son of man.” It is an expression which is found in Psalm 8:4. It is a title which emphasises His manhood. It is also a name which identifies Him with Daniel’s vision (cf. Daniel 7:13-14).
The title “Son of man” speaks of a restoration of man’s rule over the earth: a reign which was forfeited by Adam when he disobeyed God, and which is re-established by Christ. Jesus was asking who people thought Him to be.
2. SOME WRONG ANSWERS (Matthew 16:14).
(i) John the Baptist.
Despite belonging to a sect that did not believe in resurrection, Herod’s conscience must have got the better of him after ordering the execution of John the Baptist at a birthday party. When he heard of Jesus’ preaching he imagined it was John, risen from the dead (cf. Mark 6:16)!
(ii) Elijah.
There was an opinion abroad that Elijah was going to make a physical return to earth. This was based on Malachi’s prophecy (cf. Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus applied these words only in a figurative way to John the Baptist: ‘and if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come’ (cf. Matthew 11:14).
(iii) Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
Really people did not know what to think of Jesus. It is the same now: some say He is a good man; some say He is a prophet; some even say that He is a fraud, or deluded. Whatever people may imagine, they cannot have a neutral opinion of Jesus!
3. BUT WHAT DO WE YOU THINK OF JESUS? (Matthew 16:15).
The most important question in the whole of our life concerns the Person of Jesus. Who is He? What is He to us? Our answer to this question will determine what we believe, how we live, and where we will go when we die.
4. Surely Simon Peter spoke for us all, when he said, “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD” (Matthew 16:16).
(i) The title Christ, or Messiah, means “the anointed One.”
In Old Testament times there were three public offices into which someone might be anointed: prophet, priest and king. As the anointed of God, Jesus is all three.
(a) As Prophet, He reveals to us the will of God for our salvation.
(b) As Priest He offers Himself as the sacrifice for our sins, making continual prayers on our behalf.
(c) As King He rules us, defends us; restrains His people’s enemies, and conquers those who refuse His rule.
(ii) Jesus is the Son of the living God.
In His humility, Jesus viewed Himself as the Son of man. In a moment of inspiration, however, Simon Peter could see that Jesus is also the Son of the living God!
5. THESE TRUTHS ARE ONLY REVEALED BY GOD (Matthew 16:17-18).
We cannot know such things without the revelation of the Father in heaven. “Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jonas” - for the Lord revealing such a remarkable thing to you.
Hereafter you shall be known as Peter, a piece of a rock - and "upon this Rock" (Greek = ‘Petra’) the Lord will build His church. The Rock upon which the Church is built is our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:20). And “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
MATTHEW 16:19. Jesus gave the church the power of the keys, the power to ‘bind’ and to ‘loose.’ The preaching of the gospel declares who does and who does not have access into the kingdom of God (e.g. ‘he that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already’ - John 3:18).
MATTHEW 16:20. Jesus then instructed His disciples not to broadcast this revelation of who He is. The time was not yet right. Other things had to happen before Jesus would take up his crown.
FINALLY: Not only should we know what the church teaches about Jesus, but we should know Him for ourselves. Peter’s confession was not merely the recitation of a creed: it was an expression of an inner belief and conviction which had taken hold of his whole life. Thus it should be with us: let us listen to the words of God in the Bible, for they testify of Jesus; but above all, let us embrace these truths and possess Him as our own.
