Who Is Jesus?

 Note: For some reason, yesterday's slice of Daily Bread did not appear.  Check for a double slice today.

Gospel:  Mt 16: 13-20:

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter,^[and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹ 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.” ²⁰ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

When Jesus asked his disciple who people said he was, a variety of familiar names came up. but then taking a huge step forward, Peter pro ports"  "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." (Mt 16: 16).  Where did this come from?  Did Peter have a special connection to heaven?  It must have been a combination of his observations and close attention to the words and "signs" Jesus was so lavishly delivering to his audiences and the work of the Holy Spirit.  "For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father in heaven." (Mt 16: 18). 

Sunday is a day devoted to peace, quiet, worship, and attentiveness to God's Word and workings in our lives.  May we take time to ponder with the Apostles the words and workings of Jesus not only in the Scriptures, but in our lives as well.

Bro. Rene