A Personal Verdict

Matthew 16:13-20

Everyone has his or her own idea about Jesus. If George Horace Gallup had taken a poll in the first century the results would have varied from Jerusalem to Judea, from Galilee to Gethsemane. In response to the pollster's question, "Who is Jesus?" some, like Herod Antipas, would have selected John the Baptist. Others would have chosen Elijah, the prince of the prophetic line. A few, steeped in Maccabean tradition, would have settled for Jeremiah. Jesus made it personal, “Who do you say I am?”

The setting for the question is interesting. Caesarea Philippi is about 30 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, at the source of the River Jordan. It was originally the city of Panias where the nature god Pan was worshiped. It was rebuilt by that ultimate Pan handler, Philip, the son of Herod the Great. He named it in honor of Caesar and added his own name to distinguish it from the seaside Caesarea built by his father.

For four hundred years there had been no prophetic voice in the land. Now there were whispers. People were saying that in Jesus they heard the authentic voice of God. One was in their midst who spoke with authority, not as the scribes. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter's confession came after thoughtful consideration.

A quiet settled over the twelve as they pondered His question. The religions of the past, illustrated by monuments all around them, testified to man's search for God. After thoughtful consideration, Peter spoke up, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter's confession came as a result of Divine revelation.

Jesus acknowledged the spiritual source of this revelation, “My Father in heaven.” Then He made a play on words concerning the revelation. “Your name is Peter (petros - little stone) and on this petra (great rock) I will build my church.” The truth of the deity of Jesus Christ, “the Son of the living God” is the foundation of the church – not Peter. (In fact Peter makes it clear that he is not to be thought of as ‘the rock’ – in I Peter 2:4-6.)

In those days the ‘gate’ was the center of government. The elders sat in the gate area. Jesus assured His followers that the government of hell would not be able to overcome His church. We have seen that literally the case in communist lands.

The keys that Jesus gave to Peter were for opening the kingdom of heaven to un-believers. In this he was greatly used of God at Pentecost to open the way for over 3,000 precious souls. Then he assisted Philip to evangelize the racially mongrel Samaritans. Later he took the Gospel to the gentile Cornelius, convinced that “God is no respecter of persons.” At the source of the River Jordan, Jesus revealed himself as the fountain of living water. From those who trust Him there shall flow refreshing “rivers of living water.”