Theme Scripture

Matthew 16:13-19

In this scripture, Jesus asks his disciples “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man am?” And they responded; “some say John the Baptist, some Elijah and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. Jesus then asks His disciples “But who do you say that I am?” Then Simon Peter answered and said “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and Jesus answered and said to him “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. Also I say to you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven”.

The Lesson

How amazing is this prophecy to Peter for giving that powerful answer – that right answer! There are so many things this scripture teaches and I will share some of the insights I received from reading it. This is the first of two parts titled, “Who do you say that I am?”.

Firstly, Jesus asked His disciples, “whom do men say I the Son of Man am?”. And the disciples gave all kinds of answers – some say you are Elijah, others say John the Baptist, etc. For many Christians, this is the level most of us are at – the level where we know Jesus through the eyes or confession of man – through the confession of flesh and blood – through the confession of our Pastors, Prophets, etc. 

It is alright to know Jesus as the person your Pastor says he is, or the person your Prophet says he is – it is alright. But at this level, you have no spiritual mark or footprint that the devil will acknowledge or recognise. You carry no weight in the realms of the spirit because you command no authority. 

Take a look at this scripture from Acts 19:11-15:

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

Most Christians are like the Jewish exorcists or sons of Sceva whose conduit is the Pastor, the Prophet, the Apostle, etc; but with this, not much spiritual authority can be exercised because they have no confession of their own. Who do you say Jesus is?

The veil was torn in two when Jesus was crucified and we have direct access to the father. Let us not waste this precious opportunity given us. Seek to know Jesus on a personal level and grow in the spirit. God is more interested in your answer to “who do you say that I am” than “whom do men say that I am”. Because your response to this will provoke a certain response from the Master. In Peter’s case, his response provoked a prophetic word and confirmation of Peter’s calling. 

What answer is your conviction about Jesus provoking? Is Jesus still to you who your Pastor says he is?

“Then Simon Peter answered and said “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and Jesus answered and said to him “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”.

Is your revelation of who God is from flesh and blood? When you speak to people about Jesus, are you telling them about a Jesus revealed to you by the Father in Heaven?

The scripture teaches us that in as much as you hear about who Jesus is from teaching, etc, premium is placed on the revelation of who Jesus to YOU. The preachings and ministrations are necessary but let them not remain just that – let them stir you up – let them produce a hunger and thirst for Christ that translates to a revelation of Jesus from the Father to YOU. So that when you step out and open your mouth to speak about Jesus, you speak with a conviction that can convict – you speak more passionately and are not so detached from the words you are uttering. 

Who do YOU say that I am? That is the question. Note that when Jesus asked “whom do people say I am, the disciples could accurately recall what they had heard people say about Jesus – and they were all false! So in as much as you hear about Jesus, the onus is on YOU to find out who He is and you can do this by revelation through the Word because He is the Word. Read the Bible; Read the Bible; Read the Bible. It all comes down to reading the Bible.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I understand that you cherish my response to the question “who do you say that I am”. Lord, I want to be able to respond to this question with a conviction that comes from You. Minister to my heart; give me an appetite for your Word, that I may know you for myself. I cannot do it without your help, therefore, help me; lead me and reveal yourself to me. And when I pick up the Bible, let the scales fall off my eyes and let me find You, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!