Upon This Rock

 

  

Matthew 16: 13-19

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¹³ When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

¹⁴ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ And I also 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. ¹⁹ 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.”

 Recognizing a central authority guided by the Holy Spirit in these days of muddled truth, controversies, sinful behaviors, dividing factions, is essential if the mission of Jesus is to remain effective and able to guide us to salvation. Peter's confession of faith, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the rock of truth on which our faith is founded." May we pray for the humility, courage and conviction to remain faithful to Jesus through those he as appointed as our leaders.

Bro. Rene